as in firearm
a portable weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder
the soldiers keep their small arms securely in their holsters when not on patrol
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Recent Examples of small arm
In addition to the HIMARS boost, the latest shipment includes unmanned aerial systems, counter-drone systems, high-speed anti-radiation missiles, armored and light tactical vehicles, as well as small arms munitions, training and services for Ukraine's Armed Forces.
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Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
The ammunition appears to be AD-LER (Anti-Drone Long Effective Range) rounds developed by Swedish small arms ammunition manufacturer Norma for counter-FPV use.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
This support has included attack helicopters, amphibious vehicles, tanks, and anti-tank missiles, as well as small arms and light weapons, according to UN sources as well as organizations such as Small Arms Survey and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
—Aditi Gorur, Foreign Affairs, 27 July 2016
At one point, CNN also heard bursts of small arms fire in the distance.
—Jeremy Diamond and Mike Schwartz, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for small arm
Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
The ammunition appears to be AD-LER (Anti-Drone Long Effective Range) rounds developed by Swedish small arms ammunition manufacturer Norma for counter-FPV use.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
This support has included attack helicopters, amphibious vehicles, tanks, and anti-tank missiles, as well as small arms and light weapons, according to UN sources as well as organizations such as Small Arms Survey and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
—Aditi Gorur, Foreign Affairs, 27 July 2016
At one point, CNN also heard bursts of small arms fire in the distance.
—Jeremy Diamond and Mike Schwartz, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for small arm
Cite this Entry
“Small arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20arm. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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