weapon

[ wep-uhn ]

noun

1. any instrument or device for use in attack or defense in combat, fighting, or war, as a sword, rifle, or cannon.
2. anything used against an opponent, adversary, or victim:

   the deadly weapon of satire.

3. Zoology. any part or organ serving for attack or defense, as claws, horns, teeth, or stings.

verb (used with object)

1. to supply or equip with a weapon or weapons:

   to weapon aircraft with heat-seeking missiles.

weapon

/ ˈwɛpən /

noun

1. an object or instrument used in fighting
2. anything that serves to outwit or get the better of an opponent

   his power of speech was his best weapon

3. any part of an animal that is used to defend itself, to attack prey, etc, such as claws, teeth, horns, or a sting
4. a slang word for penis

Derived Forms

• ˈweaponed, adjective
• ˈweaponless, adjective

Other Words From

• weaponed adjective
• weapon·less adjective
• outweaponed adjective
• super·weapon noun
• un·weaponed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of weapon¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English wepen, Old English wǣpen; cognate with German Waffe, Old Norse vāpn, Gothic wēpna (plural)

Word History and Origins

Origin of weapon¹

Old English wǣpen; related to Old Norse vápn, Old Frisian wēpen, Old High German wāffan

Example Sentences

Putin added that Russia could attack military facilities of those countries which allowed their weapons to be used for this purpose.

From BBC

The warrants, for alleged criminal responsibility for acts including murder, persecution and starvation as a weapon of war, prompted fury in Israel, which like the United States does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction.

From Los Angeles Times

“I am not confident we will push them back from those regions. We have neither people nor weapons.”

From BBC

Some ESG funds exclude oil companies or tobacco and weapons manufacturers.

From Salon

Two women were also assaulted outside the building and police recovered a bladed weapon.

From BBC

Related Words

• ammunition
• bomb
• cannon
• firearm
• gun
• knife
• machete
• machine gun
• missile
• nerve gas
• pistol
• revolver
• rifle
• shotgun
• sword
• tear gas