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
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The Harlem rapper, 36, was recently found not guilty on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm in Los Angeles. Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 22 Feb. 2025 The rapper was charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm against his former friend, Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli. Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 21 Feb. 2025 The announcement comes mere days after Rocky was acquitted on two charges of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025 Rocky's latest appointment comes after he was acquitted by a jury over two charges of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm — as he was accused of firing a semi-automatic handgun at former friend A$AP Relli in November 2021. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 21 Feb. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Semiautomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiautomatic. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

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