weapon

1 of 2

noun

weap·​on ˈwe-pən How to pronounce weapon (audio)
1
: something (such as a club, knife, or gun) used to injure, defeat, or destroy
2
: a means of contending against another

weapon

2 of 2

verb

weaponed; weaponing; weapons

Examples of weapon in a Sentence

Noun assault with a deadly weapon The pitcher's slider is his most effective weapon. a new weapon in the fight against cancer The mayor's campaign unleashed its secret weapon.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Biggest needs: Cornerback, safety, interior offensive line, wide receiver and quarterback Back to top 6 | Las Vegas Raiders Four in five of mock drafts expect the Las Vegas Raiders will look to add an offensive weapon. Jim Sergent, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025 The West has potentially powerful weapons and indeed won the great cognitive war of the 20th century when all the elements of national strength — diplomatic, informational, military and economic — were aligned in pursuit of the triumph of democracy and free markets. Michael Miklaucic, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
Challengers of the rule, which included gun manufacturers and individual gun owners, contended the 1968 Gun Control Act didn't apply to weapon parts kits and that the administrative action was an overreach. Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025 New England did make one wide receiver addition, bringing in former Buffalo Bills weapon Mack Hollins. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for weapon

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English wepen, from Old English wǣpen; akin to Old High German wāffan weapon, Old Norse vāpn

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of weapon was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Weapon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weapon. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

weapon

noun
weap·​on
ˈwep-ən
1
: something (as a gun, knife, or club) used to injure, defeat, or destroy
2
: something with which one fights or struggles against another

More from Merriam-Webster on weapon

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