AR-15

American  

[ey-ahr-fif-teen] / ˈeɪˈɑrˈfɪfˈtin /

Trademark.

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

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Etymology

Origin of AR-15

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

Example Sentences

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

Guest: Cameron McWhirter, national affairs reporter for The Wall Street Journal covering mass shootings, violent protests, and natural disasters across the South and author of American Gun: the True Story of the AR-15.

From Slate • Sep. 25, 2024

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

From Seattle Times • May 2, 2024

Among several randomized characteristics was whether the person owned a gun, either a pistol or an AR-15.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2024

The Department authorized use of the AR-15 rifle only up to a distance of about a hundred yards, be-cause accuracy deteriorated so much with the additional distance.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover