air pistol

American  

noun

1. a pistol that utilizes compressed air rather than ignited gunpowder to propel a single shot, often a pellet.

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Etymology

Origin of air pistol

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Nonchalant as can be, he ended up nabbing silver in the mixed team 10-meter air pistol event, earning the country its first-ever medal in shooting.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2024

A 19-year-old Indian shooter, who had been pegged for a possible medal in the air pistol, admitted that the burden to win distracted her in a sport where concentration is paramount.

From New York Times • Aug. 4, 2021

Pang Wei and Jiang Ranxin won gold in 10-meter air pistol mixed team earlier at Asaka Shooting Range.

From Washington Post • Jul. 26, 2021

Javad Foroughi only took up the sport in 2017, after he was shown how to use an air pistol in a basement under the hospital where he works.

From BBC • Jul. 24, 2021

They are now specifically known by the name of the purpose to which they are applied, as air ship, ventilator, air brake, fan blower, air pistol, air spring, etc.

From Inventions in the Century by Doolittle, William Henry