semiautomatic

[ sem-ee-aw-tuh-mat-ik, sem-ahy- ]

adjective

1. partly automatic.
2. (of a firearm) automatically ejecting the cartridge case of a fired shot and loading the next cartridge from the magazine but requiring a squeeze of the trigger to fire each individual shot.

noun

1. a self-loading rifle or other firearm.

semiautomatic

/ ˌsɛmɪˌɔːtəˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. partly automatic
2. (of a firearm) self-loading but firing only one shot at each pull of the trigger Compare automatic

noun

1. a semiautomatic firearm

Derived Forms

• ˌsemiˌautoˈmatically, adverb

Other Words From

• semi·auto·mati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of semiautomatic¹

First recorded in 1890–95; semi- + automatic

Example Sentences

A suspect then shot at the two victims using a semiautomatic handgun, Chavez said.

From Los Angeles Times

Police issued search and arrest warrants for Brown and Moore on Thursday, retrieving two semiautomatic pistols and other items as evidence.

From Los Angeles Times

Five years ago in August, a gunman walked into the store and fired hundreds of bullets from a semiautomatic rifle.

From Los Angeles Times

As the couple were leaving the bank with the cash, federal investigators alleged that Wimbley and Smith exited their vehicle with semiautomatic handguns, threatened to shoot the victims and stole the money.

From Los Angeles Times

“For example, the ‘Buy Build Shoot’ kit marketed by Polymer80 allowed a purchaser to assemble a fully functional Glock-variant semiautomatic pistol in as little as 21 minutes,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times