as in firearm
a portable weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder
the soldiers keep their small arms securely in their holsters when not on patrol
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Recent Examples of small arm
Indeed, since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow and Tehran have considerably expanded their military-technical cooperation, with Russia receiving various types of Iranian combat drones, artillery shells, small arms ammunition and glide bombs.
—
Hanna Notte, Foreign Affairs, 15 July 2024
In the end, the five Mega Minions include Jerry, who is shaped like a round rock and has great strength; Dave, who is top heavy and muscular but with small arms; and Tim, a tall Minion with uncontrollable stretchable arms.
—Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 15 July 2024
Cheap small arms and revolvers are very popular, too, such as the Jennings JA-25, a small 22 caliber pistol, or the Smith and Wesson Model 10, a classic handgun used by the U.S. military and law enforcement for over a century.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 22 May 2024
Some Hamas fighters took this to an extreme, killing several civilians on the Al-Rashid coastal highway using small arms and machine guns.
—Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for small arm 
Hanna Notte, Foreign Affairs, 15 July 2024
In the end, the five Mega Minions include Jerry, who is shaped like a round rock and has great strength; Dave, who is top heavy and muscular but with small arms; and Tim, a tall Minion with uncontrollable stretchable arms.
—Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 15 July 2024
Cheap small arms and revolvers are very popular, too, such as the Jennings JA-25, a small 22 caliber pistol, or the Smith and Wesson Model 10, a classic handgun used by the U.S. military and law enforcement for over a century.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 22 May 2024
Some Hamas fighters took this to an extreme, killing several civilians on the Al-Rashid coastal highway using small arms and machine guns.
—Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for small arm
Thesaurus Entries Near small arm
Cite this Entry
“Small arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20arm. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.
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