shotgun

1 of 2

noun

shot·​gun ˈshät-ˌgən 

1

: a usually smoothbore shoulder weapon capable of firing shot at short ranges

2

: an offensive football formation in which the quarterback plays a few yards behind the line of scrimmage and the other backs are scattered as flankers or slotbacks

shotgun transitive verb

shotgunner

ˈshät-ˌgə-nər 

noun

shotgun

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or using a shotgun

2

: involving coercion

3

: covering a wide field with hit-or-miss effectiveness

Examples of shotgun in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 2020, police had raided the home of Randy’s dad and seized cocaine, fentanyl, cash, a couple Mossberg shotguns, a pill press, and a stun gun. —Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2025

Detectives later learned that Mr. Greer carried a double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun in his patrol car and that Ms. Easterly had been shot with a 12-gauge shotgun. —Michael Levenson, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Last season, Jackson went under center on just five drop-backs, while the Ravens’ primary ball-carriers had just 24 carries in non-shotgun looks. —Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, 3 June 2021

In 2019, in non-shotgun formations, Jackson had 19 drop-backs and combined with Ravens running backs for 27 carries, according to Sports Info Solutions. —Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, 3 June 2021

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shotgun

• ride shotgun
• sawed-off shotgun
• sawn-off shotgun
• shotgun house
• shotgun marriage
• shotgun seat
• shotgun start

Kids Definition

shotgun

noun

shot·​gun

ˈshät-ˌgən

: a firearm used to fire small shot at short range