pistol

noun

pis·​tol ˈpi-stᵊl 

1

: a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel

broadly : handgun

2

: a notably sharp, spirited, or energetic person

pistol transitive verb

Synonyms

• dynamo
• fireball
• live wire

Examples of pistol in a Sentence

a real pistol, she dances rings around the other performers

Recent Examples on the Web

Authorities found a 9 mm pistol, three additional firearms, ammunition and two suppressors in Santos' bedroom, according to court documents. —Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Officers spotted Jillian Shriner in the yard of her house, located next door, holding a pistol. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025

In the takedown, cops retrieved 15 semi-automatic weapons — including pistols and rifles, Bragg said, noting one of the pistols seized had a green laser beam attachment. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2025

Hale’s firearms included an AR-15 pistol, a semi-automatic AR pistol, a semi-automatic carbine rifle and a semi-automatic pistol. —John Miller, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French pistole, from German, from Middle High German pischulle, from Czech píšt'ala, literally, pipe, fife; akin to Czech pištět to squeak

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pistol

• machine pistol
• pistol grip
• pistol-whip
• Very pistol
• water pistol

Rhymes for pistol

• distal
• pistil
• polycrystal

Kids 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"