pistol

noun

pis·​tol ˈpi-stᵊl 

1

: a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel

broadly : handgun

2

: a notably sharp, spirited, or energetic person

pistol transitive verb

Synonyms

• dynamo
• fireball
• live wire

Examples of pistol in a Sentence

a real pistol, she dances rings around the other performers

Recent Examples on the Web

From an opening scene on the high seas as a French merchant ship is aflame to a stag hunt on an aristocratic estate to a pistol duel at dawn, the writer-directors capture the scope and grandeur of Dumas’ story. —Scott Phillips, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

He had been shot four times with a .45-caliber pistol and had been struck by a vehicle, police said. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 29 Dec. 2024

Officials believe the shooting happened when the children were attempting to rob a 25-year-old man, who police say shot the boys with his own pistol. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024

The assailant approached his front door with a pistol and what seemed to be a crossbow while Fuentes was livestreaming. —Peter Aitken, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French pistole, from German, from Middle High German pischulle, from Czech píšt'ala, literally, pipe, fife; akin to Czech pištět to squeak

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pistol

• machine pistol
• pistol grip
• pistol-whip
• Very pistol
• water pistol

Kids Definition

pistol

noun

pis·​tol ˈpis-tᵊl 

: a short firearm made to be aimed and fired with one hand

Etymology

from early French pistole "pistol," from German pistole (same meaning), derived from Czech píšt'ala, literally, "pipe, fife"