AR-15

[ ey-ahr-fif-teen ]

Trademark.

1. a lightweight, gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle with a caliber of .223 inches, used for semiautomatic fire. Compare AK-47 ( def ), M16 ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of AR-15¹

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

Example Sentences

In his call to authorities about the mosque, he claimed that he had an illegally modified AR-15, a Glock 17 pistol, pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails.

From Los Angeles Times

The grandson armed himself with an AR-15 and began searching for the suspects on a golf cart, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

The firearms include one AR-15 rifle and two 9mm semiautomatic pistols.

From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles County prosecutors alleged that on April 13, Victoryloc Nguyen, 42, armed himself with two AR-15 rifles and a pistol before firing indiscriminately from his own balcony and the rooftop of the Pearl Apartments, sometimes shooting at the adjacent building, Marina 41, which is also owned by Equity Residential.

From Los Angeles Times

“Although partially obscured by nearby trees, Minullin could clearly see the gunman aiming and shooting the AR-15’s” the lawsuit read.

From Los Angeles Times