guns

Noun

gun (plural guns)

1. A device for shooting projectiles or ditto (a shooter), functioning through stored energy: a firearm, cannon, harpoon gun/spear gun, raygun, etc, not a bow and arrow, or slingshot.
   • They burned the old gun that used to stand in the dark corner up in the garret, close to the stuffed fox that always grinned so fiercely. Perhaps the reason why he seemed in such a ghastly rage was that he did not come by his death fairly. Otherwise his pelt would not have been so perfect.1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC
   1. A very portable, short firearm, for hand use, which fires bullets or projectiles, such as a handgun, revolver, pistol, or Derringer.
   2. A less portable, long firearm that fires bullets or projectiles; a rifle, either manual, automatic or semi-automatic; a flintlock, musket or shotgun.
   3. A cannon with relatively long barrel, operating with relatively low angle of fire, and having a high muzzle velocity.
   4. A cannon with a 6-inch/155mm minimum nominal bore diameter and tube length 30 calibers or more.
   5. (figuratively) A firearm or cannon used for saluting or signalling.
      • 21-gun salute

See all 25 meanings of gun