1
: a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel
broadly
: handgun
2
: a notably sharp, spirited, or energetic person
pistol
transitive verb
Examples of pistol in a Sentence
a real pistol, she dances rings around the other performers
Recent Examples on the Web
Investigators have alleged an unfired bullet at the crime scene was ejected from Allen's semiautomatic pistol.
—
Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 20 May 2024
In 2022, a gunman armed with a Glock pistol modified with an auto sear opened fire in Sacramento, killing six people and wounding 12 others.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 18 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for pistol 
Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 20 May 2024
In 2022, a gunman armed with a Glock pistol modified with an auto sear opened fire in Sacramento, killing six people and wounding 12 others.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 18 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for pistol
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pistol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pistol
Cite this Entry
“Pistol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pistol. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pistol
noun
pis·tol
ˈpis-tᵊl 
: a short firearm made to be aimed and fired with one hand
Etymology
from early French pistole "pistol," from German pistole (same meaning), derived from Czech píšt'ala, literally, "pipe, fife"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share