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
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.
What appeared to be a replica of an assault rifle is affixed to the hood of the vehicle, which has a Trump sign on the front. Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024 Officials said Colt Gray rode the school bus to Apalachee High School carrying a semiautomatic assault rifle hidden in his backpack. CBS News, 12 Sep. 2024 Six men, some wearing hoodies, others carrying pistols and another carrying what appeared to be an assault rifle, walked up the stairs of an apartment building. Ignacio Calderon, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024 No one does high-performance yelling like Saldana; no one looks better with wraparound shades and an assault rifle. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 25 Oct. 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 21 Nov. 2024.

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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