assault rifle

noun

: any of various intermediate-range, magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47) that can be set for automatic or semiautomatic fire
also : a rifle that resembles a military assault rifle but is designed to allow only semiautomatic fire

Examples of assault rifle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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After the battle, the Ukrainian soldiers went through their personal items and documents, and found a drone detector, an assault rifle with a collimator sight, and a Chinese-Russian Azart radio station. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 Jabbar exited the vehicle armed with an assault rifle and opened fire on police officers, law enforcement said. Abc News, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2025 During the attack, Hassan said the source could either murder people at the consulate with an assault rifle or detonate an explosive vest while standing in a group of targets, court documents state. Louis Casiano, Fox News, 20 Dec. 2024 Ten of the 17 deadliest U.S. shootings since 2012 involved AR-15s, the Washington Post reported last year. Violence Project data also shows that assault rifle attacks are becoming more common, The Trace noted last year. John Diedrich, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for assault rifle 

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of assault rifle was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near assault rifle

Cite this Entry

“Assault rifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assault%20rifle. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

assault rifle

noun
: any of various especially automatic rifles designed for military use

called also assault weapon

More from Merriam-Webster on assault rifle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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