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

Meanwhile, one Colombian and one Mexican man were found and detained unharmed at the scene, and the defense department said officers found a pistol and several magazines commonly used for assault rifles at the scene. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Twenty years ago, on September 27, 2004, the front section of the New York Times included a story about John Kerry, then the Democratic nominee for President, and a Chinese assault rifle. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2024

Tomasi was ordered to forfeit his assault rifle, handgun, shotgun, gun magazines and thousands of rounds of ammunition. —Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 26 Nov. 2024

To compete players can arm themselves with a range of firearms including machine guns, assault rifles and shotguns. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

assault rifle

noun

: any of various especially automatic rifles designed for military use

called also assault weapon