gunman

noun

gun·​man ˈgən-mən How to pronounce gunman (audio)
1
: a man armed with a gun
especially : a professional killer
2
: a man noted for speed or skill in handling a gun

Examples of gunman in a Sentence

They were shot by an unknown gunman.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Officials in Wisconsin credited teachers for locking doors and shepherding children into classroom corners when a gunman opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in 2024, killing three people and injured six. Tonya Simpson, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025 The incident was the second shooting at a Texas ICE facility this year and comes just two weeks after a gunman fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a college in Utah. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025 According to officials, one detainee was killed and two were injured, though at points throughout the day officials said two people were killed, not including the gunman. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2025 When a campaign volunteer for the mayor gets killed by a gunman who supports the opposition, investigators prepare for the ramifications of a political attack. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gunman

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunman was in 1624

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gunman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunman. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

gunman

noun
gun·​man -mən How to pronounce gunman (audio)
: a person armed with a gun
especially : an armed criminal

More from Merriam-Webster on gunman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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