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

In a search Thursday of the suspect's home, police found several airsoft guns — low-power air guns that fire plastic pellets and are often used recreationally — which resemble real firearms. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2024

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

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