semiautomatic

adjective

semi·​au·​to·​mat·​ic ˌse-mē-ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce semiautomatic (audio)
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
semiautomatically adverb

Examples of semiautomatic in a Sentence

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.
The artist, born Rakim Mayers and raised in Harlem, New York, is charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025 Per the report, Anson approached Gonzalez's apartment — located on the same property as his own house — holding a semiautomatic pistol and knocked on his window, trying to gain access to the unit. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025 The rapper, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 He is charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Jonathan Abrams, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for semiautomatic 

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of semiautomatic was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near semiautomatic

Cite this Entry

“Semiautomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiautomatic. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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