air gun

noun

1. a gun operated by compressed air.

air gun

noun

1. a gun discharged by means of compressed air

Word History and Origins

Origin of air gun¹

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

A few days later, the center got a call about another snapping turtle in Shenandoah County — a 15-pounder that had been shot in the head with what they speculated was an air gun pellet.

From Washington Post

Those echoes offer seismic images of crustal layers, similar to ones obtained by aiming sound waves at the ground with an air gun.

From Science News For Students

Seismic instruments detect the sound waves of the song, just like they pick up pulses from earthquakes or from air guns used for ship-based surveys.

From Science News

Efficient air gun as a weapon; improvements in army tents; improvements in dirigible balloons and aeroplanes for military uses.

From Project Gutenberg

But my poor little air-gun would not be a very formidable weapon in a row, I expect.

From Project Gutenberg

The pistol has no recoil and hardly more noise than an air gun.

From Project Gutenberg

His dearest wish was for an air-gun, but somehow Mrs. Barnes did not seem to think the wish would be gratified.

From Project Gutenberg

After breakfast Captain R. and I stood at the door of the tent amusing ourselves with his air-gun.

From Project Gutenberg