gun

¹

[ guhn ]

noun

1. a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive; a piece of ordnance.
2. any portable firearm, such as a rifle, shotgun, or revolver.
3. a long-barreled cannon having a relatively flat trajectory.
4. any device for shooting something under pressure:

   I always thin the paint a bit before using it in a paint gun.

   With a staple gun, you could put up these posters a lot faster.

5. any of various handheld devices used as a dispenser or applicator:

   We need to put a new roll of tape on the tape gun.

   Be careful when handling the glue gun, as it has to be quite hot to melt the glue sticks.

6. Slang. a person whose profession is killing; professional killer:

   They got a hired gun to take out the rival drug dealer.

7. British. a member of a group of people hunting pheasants or other game birds.
8. electron gun ( def ).
9. Slang.
   1. (especially in baseball) a player’s throwing arm.
   2. guns, the biceps or triceps of the arms:

      After the workout he took a selfie, flexing his impressive guns.

verb (used with object)

, gunned, gun·ning.

1. to shoot with a gun (often followed by down ):

   The fighter pilot gunned down three enemy aircraft even after his own plane was damaged.

2. to cause (an engine, vehicle, aircraft, etc.) to increase in speed very quickly by increasing the supply of fuel:

   Don’t gun the engine before it warms up, especially on a cold day.

verb (used without object)

, gunned, gun·ning.

1. to hunt with a gun:

   He was out gunning in the woods when he came across somebody else’s traps.

2. to shoot with a gun:

   I spent the afternoon gunning at the range with friends from my gun club.

verb phrase

1. 1. to seek or pursue with intent to defeat, harm, or kill:

      The other team was gunning for our running back the whole time.

      If you ratted on them, the gang will be out gunning for you.

   2. to seek; try earnestly to obtain:

      He is gunning for a raise.

gun

²

[ guhn ]

verb

1. past participle of gin ³.

gun.

³

abbreviation for

1. gunnery.

gun

/ ɡʌn /

noun

1. 1. a weapon with a metallic tube or barrel from which a missile is discharged, usually by force of an explosion. It may be portable or mounted. In a military context the term applies specifically to a flat-trajectory artillery piece
   2. ( as modifier )

      a gun barrel

2. the firing of a gun as a salute or signal, as in military ceremonial
3. a member of or a place in a shooting party or syndicate
4. any device used to project something under pressure

   a spray gun

   a grease gun

5. slang.
   an armed criminal; gunman
6. slang.
   1. an expert
   2. ( as modifier )

      a gun batsman

      a gun shearer

7. go great guns slang.
   to act or function with great speed, intensity, etc
8. jump the gun or beat the gun
   1. (of a runner, etc) to set off before the starting signal is given
   2. to act prematurely
9. spike someone's guns
   See spike 1
10. stick to one's guns informal.
    to maintain one's opinions or intentions in spite of opposition

verb

1. whentr, often foll by down to shoot (someone) with a gun
2. tr to press hard on the accelerator of (an engine)

   to gun the engine of a car

3. intr to hunt with a gun

Other Words From

• gun·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gun¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English gunne, gonne, apparently short for Anglo-Latin Gunilda, gonnyld, name for engine of war; compare Old Norse Gunna, short for Gunnhildr, female name

Word History and Origins

Origin of gun¹

C14: probably from a female pet name shortened from the Scandinavian name Gunnhildr (from Old Norse gunnr war + hildr war)

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. come out gunning, to enter or engage in a contest, debate, negotiation, etc., with an aggressive attitude:

   The councilor has come out gunning on the crime issue ever since his own car was broken into.

   We were psyched up for this game and came out gunning, straight to a 6–2 lead.

2. give the gun, to put into motion or speed up:

   The pilot gave the engine the gun and managed to take off on the short airstrip.

3. jump the gun,
   1. to begin a race before the starting signal.
   2. to begin prematurely; act too hastily.
4. spike someone's guns, to frustrate or prevent someone from accomplishing a plan:

   Our competitors planned a surprise reduction in their rates, but we discovered it and were able to spike their guns.

5. stick to one's guns, to maintain one's position in the face of opposition; stand firm: Also stand by one's guns.

   They stuck to their guns and refused to submit.

6. under the gun, under pressure, as to meet a deadline or solve a problem:

   We're all under the gun with these new sales quotas.

More idioms and phrases containing gun

In addition to the idiom beginning with gun , also see at gunpoint ; big cheese (gun) ; great guns ; hired gun ; hold a gun to someone's head ; jump the gun ; smoking gun ; son of a bitch (gun) ; stick to one's guns ; under the gun .

Example Sentences

Among the most unsettling revelations are how Bardo, who since childhood had relentlessly obsessed over and stalked girls and women he knew and didn’t know, acquired a gun and was able to travel to Schaeffer’s home.

From New York Times

For her 40th birthday, about a month before their deaths, he gave her a gun, one of many in their home.

From New York Times

Davis, who was captured by the FBI, pleaded guilty in February to robbery and gun charges.

From Los Angeles Times

The armored truck driver, Jose Guzman, testified that as he serviced the ATM on Feb. 14, 2022, a person came up to him and put a gun to his head.

From Los Angeles Times

California also has some of the tightest gun control laws in the country.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cannon
• handgun
• hardware
• mortar
• piece
• pistol
• revolver
• rifle
• shotgun