weapon

1 of 2

noun

weap·​on ˈwe-pən 

1

: something (such as a club, knife, or gun) used to injure, defeat, or destroy

2

: a means of contending against another

weapon

2 of 2

verb

weaponed; weaponing; weapons

transitive verb

: arm

Examples of weapon in a Sentence

Noun

assault with a deadly weapon

The pitcher's slider is his most effective weapon.

a new weapon in the fight against cancer

The mayor's campaign unleashed its secret weapon.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Robert Pasco, 42, faces one felony charge of unlawful use of a weapon and one misdemeanor charge of possessing a firearm without a valid firearm owner’s identification card, according to Chicago police. —Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025

Sullivan said in our phone interview that unlike previous dramatic technology advancements (atomic weapons, space, the internet), AI development sits outside of government and security clearances, and in the hands of private companies with the power of nation-states. —Axios, 18 Jan. 2025

Verb

The ghost can't speak, and can only confirm whether a player has guessed the right person, place, or weapon with a knock. —WIRED, 9 Oct. 2024

The products therefore become a good talking point for the sales associates and weapon to help fight the conversion challenge, according to Vuchot. —Jennifer Weil, WWD, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English wepen, from Old English wǣpen; akin to Old High German wāffan weapon, Old Norse vāpn

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing weapon

• assault weapon
• beam weapon
• biological weapon
• chemical weapon
• murder weapon
• weapon of last resort
• weapon of mass destruction

Kids Definition

weapon

noun

weap·​on

ˈwep-ən

1

: something (as a gun, knife, or club) used to injure, defeat, or destroy

2

: something with which one fights or struggles against another