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firing squad
noun
1
: a detachment detailed to fire volleys over the grave of one buried with military honors
2
: a detachment detailed to carry out a sentence of death by shooting
Examples of firing squad in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Four other states in the U.S. with capital punishment have the firing squad on the books: Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah and South Carolina.
—
Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 22 Jan. 2025
Little signed a bill into law last year to add a firing squad as the state’s backup execution method and provided $750,000 to remodel the execution chamber.
—
Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Jan. 2025
The first two — Freddie Owens, who was put to death on Sept. 20, and Richard Moore, who was executed on Nov. 1 — chose to die by lethal injection, but inmates can also choose electrocution or a new firing squad.
—
Landon Mion, Fox News, 5 Jan. 2025
Trump's victory was the result of many factors as the Democratic Party's circular firing squad debate over the assignment of blame for their loss has indicated.
—
Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near firing squad
Cite this Entry
“Firing squad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firing%20squad. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
firing squad
noun
fir·ing squad
ˈfī(ə)r-iŋ-
1
: a military unit assigned to fire shots over the grave of one buried with military honors
2
: a military unit assigned to carry out a sentence of death by shooting
More from Merriam-Webster on firing squad
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for firing squad
Britannica English: Translation of firing squad for Arabic Speakers
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