pistol

noun

pis·​tol ˈpi-stᵊl 

1

: a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel

broadly : handgun

2

: a notably sharp, spirited, or energetic person

pistol transitive verb

Synonyms

• dynamo
• fireball
• live wire

Examples of pistol in a Sentence

a real pistol, she dances rings around the other performers

Recent Examples on the Web

Frank provides Rick with a mysterious package, presumably a pistol for when Rick finally faces his nemesis, but expresses his hope that Rick will never have to use it. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

Wick and the Marquis (Bill Skarsgard) duel it out with pistols, leading to both being struck. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025

How did those live rounds get mixed in with dummy rounds and loaded into Baldwin’s pistol? —Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025

Those handguns use the same operating system as AR-variant pistols, like the one used by the shooter at the Boulder King Soopers in 2021, and would thus be caught in the crossfire of the bill’s efforts to block those weapons. —Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French pistole, from German, from Middle High German pischulle, from Czech píšt'ala, literally, pipe, fife; akin to Czech pištět to squeak

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pistol

• machine pistol
• pistol grip
• pistol-whip
• Very pistol
• water pistol

Rhymes for pistol

• distal
• pistil
• polycrystal

Kids Definition

pistol

noun

pis·​tol ˈpis-tᵊl 

: a short firearm made to be aimed and fired with one hand

Etymology

from early French pistole "pistol," from German pistole (same meaning), derived from Czech píšt'ala, literally, "pipe, fife"