gunshot

noun

gun·​shot ˈgən-ˌshät How to pronounce gunshot (audio)
Synonyms of gunshotnext
1
: shot or a projectile fired from a gun
2
: the range of a gun
3
: the firing of a gun

Examples of gunshot in a Sentence

He was killed by a gunshot to the head.
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.
Prosecutors said Wilcox was hit by gunfire, fell to the ground and fired three more gunshots at the officers. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026 However, by the bar, there’s a lot of commotion as Riley bleeds from the gunshot wounds. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 Lechner was a member of the 75th Rangers in Somalia and suffered a gruesome gunshot wound to his tibia. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Investigators said he was found with an untreated gunshot wound to the chest from the night of the shooting. — Nicole Alarcon, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gunshot

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunshot was in the 15th century

Rhymes for gunshot

See All Rhymes for gunshot

Browse Nearby Words

gunship
gunshot
gun-shy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gunshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunshot. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gunshot

noun
gun·​shot -ˌshät How to pronounce gunshot (audio)
1
: shot fired from a gun
2
: the range of a gun
within gunshot
3
: the firing of a gun

More from Merriam-Webster on gunshot

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gunshot

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gunshot

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