air gun

noun

1

: a gun from which a projectile is propelled by compressed air

2

: any of various hand tools that work by compressed air

especially : airbrush

Examples of air gun in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thursday's incident is the second potential averted school shooting to involve air guns in recent months in Wisconsin. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2024

Due to a loophole in federal law, these types of compressed air guns, shooting small projectiles made of metal, are allowed to look completely realistic without any differentiating marks. —Cait Bladt, CBS News, 2 Oct. 2024

Grab your leaf blower again or an air compressor with an air gun. —Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2024

There are multiple ways to humanely euthanize a python, but here are the basic guidelines from the fish and wildlife commission: Step 1: Immediate loss of consciousness Use a captive bolt, firearm or air gun to shoot directly to the brain. —Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

air gun

noun

1

: a gun that fires with a compressed gas (as air or carbon dioxide)

2

: any of various hand tools that work by compressed air

especially : airbrush

Medical Definition

air gun

noun

: jet injector

The UN [United Nations] would like air guns, delivering vaccine doses without using needles.

—Laurie Garrett, Newsday