tear gas

¹

[ teer ]

noun

1. a gas that makes the eyes smart and water, thus producing a temporary blindness, used in modern warfare, to quell riots, etc.

tear-gas

²

[ teer-gas ]

verb (used with object)

, tear-gassed, tear-gas·sing.

1. to subject to tear gas.

tear gas

/ tɪə /

noun

1. any one of a number of gases or vapours that make the eyes smart and water, causing temporary blindness; usually dispersed from grenades and used in warfare and to control riots Also calledlacrimator

Word History and Origins

Origin of tear gas¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Origin of tear gas²

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Local media said police used tear gas after supporters of the visiting team, Labé, threw stones towards the pitch in anger at the referee.

From BBC

As he neared the government headquarters, he pointed to the spot where he choked on tear gas for the first time, on 28 September 2014.

From BBC

Riot police have been deployed around the country's parliament, the focal point of the ongoing protests, which have have seen police deploy water cannon and tear gas in recent days.

From BBC

As loud screams and clouds of tear gas blanketed the square, Samia describes holding her husband on the pavement, bloodied from a gun shot to his shoulder.

From BBC

Security forces used batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

From BBC

Related Words

• poison gas