assault rifle

noun

: any of various intermediate-range, magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47) that can be set for automatic or semiautomatic fire
also : a rifle that resembles a military assault rifle but is designed to allow only semiautomatic fire

Examples of assault rifle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Proponents of gun control say limiting the ability of individuals to buy some weapons, such as assault rifles, would mitigate the number of shootings. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025 O’Rourke had proposed a ban and a buyback program for assault rifles, and Boebert, standing in the audience, challenged him, in an exchange that subsequently appeared on Fox News. Peter Hessler, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025 New videos on Russian social media analyzed in detail at The Armourer’s Bench website provide a do-it-yourself guide for creating anti-drone buckshot rounds for the ubiquitous AK-74 assault rifle. David Hambling, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 The class’s signature weapon, a crossbow, can mimic the feel of an assault rifle, a shotgun, a sniper, or a grenade launcher depending on the skills and ammunition type in use. Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for assault rifle 

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of assault rifle was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near assault rifle

Cite this Entry

“Assault rifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assault%20rifle. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

assault rifle

noun
: any of various especially automatic rifles designed for military use

called also assault weapon

More from Merriam-Webster on assault rifle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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