1
: a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel
broadly
: handgun
2
: a notably sharp, spirited, or energetic person
pistol
transitive verb
Examples of pistol in a Sentence
a real pistol, she dances rings around the other performers
Recent Examples on the Web
The bill would cover anyone convicted of those misdemeanors in another state during the past eight years; they would now be blocked from getting a pistol or revolver permit, lawmakers said.
—
Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025
Pockets had become associated with an adventurous, enterprising (and therefore, male) spirit, as evidenced by the tools and objects scaled down to fit inside them: the pocket knife, pocket watch and pocket pistol, to name a few.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Richie hands Harry a pistol, but the fixer gives it back.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2025
After the shooting, police recovered an AR-15 style rifle – in addition to the pistol and a shotgun found at the scene – inside the car Phoenix Ikner drove to campus, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the ongoing investigation.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pistol
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Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025
Pockets had become associated with an adventurous, enterprising (and therefore, male) spirit, as evidenced by the tools and objects scaled down to fit inside them: the pocket knife, pocket watch and pocket pistol, to name a few.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Richie hands Harry a pistol, but the fixer gives it back.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2025
After the shooting, police recovered an AR-15 style rifle – in addition to the pistol and a shotgun found at the scene – inside the car Phoenix Ikner drove to campus, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the ongoing investigation.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pistol
Cite this Entry
“Pistol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pistol. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pistol
noun
pis·tol
ˈpis-tᵊl 
: a short firearm made to be aimed and fired with one hand
Etymology
from early French pistole "pistol," from German pistole (same meaning), derived from Czech píšt'ala, literally, "pipe, fife"
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