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firing squad
noun
1
: a detachment detailed to fire volleys over the grave of one buried with military honors
2
: a detachment detailed to carry out a sentence of death by shooting
Examples of firing squad in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Little signed a bill into law last year to add a firing squad as the state’s backup execution method and provided $750,000 to remodel the execution chamber.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Jan. 2025
The first two — Freddie Owens, who was put to death on Sept. 20, and Richard Moore, who was executed on Nov. 1 — chose to die by lethal injection, but inmates can also choose electrocution or a new firing squad.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 5 Jan. 2025
Trump's victory was the result of many factors as the Democratic Party's circular firing squad debate over the assignment of blame for their loss has indicated.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
The last time an inmate in the U.S. was executed by a firing squad was in Utah in 2010, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 5 Jan. 2025
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Word History
First Known Use
1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near firing squad
Cite this Entry
“Firing squad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firing%20squad. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
firing squad
noun
fir·ing squad
ˈfī(ə)r-iŋ-
1
: a military unit assigned to fire shots over the grave of one buried with military honors
2
: a military unit assigned to carry out a sentence of death by shooting
More from Merriam-Webster on firing squad
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for firing squad
Britannica English: Translation of firing squad for Arabic Speakers
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