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AR-15

American

[ey-ahr-fif-teen] / ˈeɪˈɑrˈfɪfˈtin /

Trademark.

a lightweight, gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle with a caliber of .223 inches, used for semiautomatic fire.

Etymology

Origin of AR-15

First recorded in 1960–65; shortening of ArmaLite Rifle, not of assault rifle ( def. ), as commonly thought

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His father even bought him the AR-15 as a Christmas present.

From Slate • Mar. 5, 2026

With armed guards with AR-15 rifles and pistols standing nearby, Mr Bloom introduced Ms Ferguson at a press conference as a "personal friend".

From BBC • Nov. 2, 2025

The weapon used by the apparent shooter Saturday was a semiautomatic AR-15, law enforcement sources say.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 15, 2024

An AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and a 40-caliber handgun were found at the scene.

From Seattle Times • May 2, 2024

The gun rack, set between two of the eight windows, held a Remington shotgun, a Colt AR-15 assault rifle, a tear-gas gun, and many rounds of ammunition.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023