holster

[ hohl-ster ]

noun

1. a sheathlike carrying case for a firearm, attached to a belt, shoulder sling, or saddle.

verb (used with object)

1. to put or put back in a holster:

   to holster a gun.

holster

/ ˈhəʊlstə /

noun

1. a sheathlike leather case for a pistol, attached to a belt or saddle
2. mountaineering a similar case for an ice axe or piton hammer

Derived Forms

• ˈholstered, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of holster¹

1655–65; < Dutch; cognate with Gothic hulistr, Old Norse hulstr sheath; akin to Old English helan to hide

Word History and Origins

Origin of holster¹

C17: via Dutch holster from Germanic; compare Old Norse hulstr sheath, Old English heolstor darkness, Gothic hulistr cover

Example Sentences

“When we first came here, in ’64, I was dressed up in a poncho with a holster and a toy gun,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

A Riverside County sheriff’s deputy stabbed an inmate who attempted to grab the gun from his holster during a court hearing on Wednesday, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

When we first came here, in ’64, I was dressed up in a poncho with a holster and a toy gun.

From Los Angeles Times

On her leg, beneath her dress, was a jury-rigged holster with a borrowed .45 handgun that had been developed for the military.

From Los Angeles Times

Baldwin has said Hutchins told him to slowly pull his Colt .45 revolver from his holster and point it at the camera.

From Los Angeles Times