Illustration of flintlock
- flintlock 2
flintlock
noun
flint·lock
ˈflint-ˌläk 
1
: a lock for a gun or pistol having a flint in the hammer for striking a spark to ignite the charge
2
: a firearm fitted with a flintlock
Examples of flintlock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The flintlock pistol that Torres is given by the Yautja to fight his fellow prisoners is known by Predator fans as the Raphael Adolini 1715 pistol for an engraved plate that says just that.
—
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 June 2025
Although a gunshot from a flintlock pistol lasts only an eye blink, the sound is composed of numerous elements: the squeeze of the trigger, the strike of the firing mechanism against the flint, the ignition of the powder, the slug’s passage through the barrel, the report, the impact.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
My first rifle had been a flintlock that had been given to me by an old friend, Ed Wesson, the gunsmith.
—Outdoor Life, 23 Nov. 2023
Modern gun technologies are far, far more deadly than the one-shot flintlocks of the 18th century—shouldn’t that matter?
—Robert J. Spitzer, Time, 6 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for flintlock
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 June 2025
Although a gunshot from a flintlock pistol lasts only an eye blink, the sound is composed of numerous elements: the squeeze of the trigger, the strike of the firing mechanism against the flint, the ignition of the powder, the slug’s passage through the barrel, the report, the impact.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
My first rifle had been a flintlock that had been given to me by an old friend, Ed Wesson, the gunsmith.
—Outdoor Life, 23 Nov. 2023
Modern gun technologies are far, far more deadly than the one-shot flintlocks of the 18th century—shouldn’t that matter?
—Robert J. Spitzer, Time, 6 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for flintlock
Cite this Entry
“Flintlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flintlock. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flintlock
noun
flint·lock
ˈflint-ˌläk
1
: a lock for a gun using a flint to ignite the charge
2
: a gun fitted with a flintlock
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share