firing squad

noun

Synonyms of firing squadnext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the United States, prisoners are occasionally executed by firing squads. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026 The Army has not carried out an execution by firing squad since 1945 and is still developing procedures for doing so, including determining how many shooters would participate and what type of chair would be used to secure Hasan. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 Nidal Hasan by firing squad, Hegseth is appealing to the worst aspects of our character. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Oct. 2026 While the left spent all week whining about Sophie Cunningham's hat and firing squad best practices, us PATRIOTS were biding our time, keeping our heads down, and grinding towards another weekend. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for firing squad

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of firing squad was in 1864

Rhymes for firing squad

See All Rhymes for firing squad

Browse Nearby Words

firing ring
firing squad
firing step
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Firing squad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firing%20squad. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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

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