semiautomatic
adjective
semi·au·to·mat·ic
ˌse-mē-ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik 
ˌse-ˌmī-,
-mi-
: not fully automatic: such as
a
: operated partly automatically and partly by hand
b
of a firearm
: able to fire repeatedly through an automatic reloading process but requiring release and another pressure of the trigger for each successive shot
a semiautomatic rifle
semiautomatic
noun
Examples of semiautomatic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tacopina is currently in the spotlight after representing A$AP Rocky in his recent gun assault trial against A$AP Relli, securing the win for the Harlem rapper who faced two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
—
Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Bills that would limit access to semiautomatic firearms and lower the barrier for establishing new unions are set for their second public hearings this week at the Colorado Capitol.
—Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
Fox said the man had reportedly pointed a semiautomatic handgun at construction workers and then a pest control worker.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
Authorities said that Taylor’s sons, Josiah Hooker, 8, and a 5-year-old found a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson semiautomatic handgun on a television stand that Taylor had left unattended at the family home in the 1400 block of East 71st Place when they were both wounded around 5:20 p.m. on Thursday.
—William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semiautomatic
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.
Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Bills that would limit access to semiautomatic firearms and lower the barrier for establishing new unions are set for their second public hearings this week at the Colorado Capitol.
—Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
Fox said the man had reportedly pointed a semiautomatic handgun at construction workers and then a pest control worker.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
Authorities said that Taylor’s sons, Josiah Hooker, 8, and a 5-year-old found a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson semiautomatic handgun on a television stand that Taylor had left unattended at the family home in the 1400 block of East 71st Place when they were both wounded around 5:20 p.m. on Thursday.
—William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for semiautomatic
Cite this Entry
“Semiautomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiautomatic. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share