machine gun

¹

noun

1. a small arm operated by a mechanism, able to deliver a rapid and continuous fire of bullets as long as the trigger is pressed.

machine-gun

²

[ muh-sheen-guhn ]

verb (used with object)

, ma·chine-gunned, ma·chine-gun·ning.

1. to shoot at with a machine gun.

machine gun

noun

1. 1. a rapid-firing automatic gun, usually mounted, from which small-arms ammunition is discharged
   2. ( as modifier )

      machine-gun fire

verb

1. tr to shoot or fire at with a machine gun

Derived Forms

• machine gunner, noun

Other Words From

• machine gunner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of machine gun¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Origin of machine gun²

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

"As he machine gunned across it went through my bicycle wheel and missed me entirely."

From BBC

A Southeast officer was wounded in another police shootout in the division area in July, during which a man allegedly opened fire on a police squad with a machine gun.

From Los Angeles Times

Amidst the autumnal farmland, the soldiers are keen to demonstrate the American kit they use - drones, grenade launchers and mounted machine guns.

From BBC

Rangers accompanied them with machine guns to protect them against wild animals like elephants or rhinos, or even poachers in the national park.

From BBC

They’re over the neighbouring region, so there's no imminent danger for Bucha, but the machine guns will stay in place until the alert ends.

From BBC

Related Words

• submachine gun