Sten gun

noun

1. a British light submachine gun.

Sten gun

/ stɛn /

noun

1. a light 9 mm sub-machine-gun formerly used in the British Army and Commonwealth forces, developed during World War II

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sten gun¹

1940–45; R.V. S(hepherd) + H.J. T(urpin) , the designers + En(field) , England

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sten gun¹

C20: from s and t (initials of Shepherd and Turpin, the inventors) + -en, as in Bren gun

Example Sentences

Mitraillette was perched on the bonnet with one of the Sten guns propped on her knees, keeping a good lookout as usual.

From Literature

Later that night, William approaches the Thomases' bungalow with his Sten gun and a grenade.

From The Guardian

One even had one of these gaspipe Sten guns, and I liked that even less than the howitzer.

From Project Gutenberg

Some carried Sten guns, vicious little submachine guns originally of English manufacture.

From Project Gutenberg

The plaster on the ceiling would need repairing where the Sten gun had chipped it down to the concrete roof slab, but there was little real damage to show the effect of last night's fight.

From Project Gutenberg