pistol

noun

pis·​tol ˈpi-stᵊl How to pronounce pistol (audio)
Synonyms of pistolnext
1
: a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel
broadly : handgun
2
: a notably sharp, spirited, or energetic person
pistol transitive verb

Synonyms of pistol

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Examples of pistol in a Sentence

a real pistol, she dances rings around the other performers
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 2021, thieves entered Goodland Guns’ former location by cutting a hole in the wall and stole five pistols, four shotguns, and two rifles, according to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 References to Bond sprinkled throughout the trailer include Cage ordering that signature cocktail and packing a familiar-looking pistol, plus a gag at the end playing off Bond’s 007 designation. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 Police have said they attacks appeared random and unprovoked, and that officers fired their pistols after ⁠Tasers ​failed to stop the ​woman from advancing toward them with knives. — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 The pistol still had 12 rounds in the magazine, prosecutors said. — Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pistol

Word History

Etymology

Middle French pistole, from German, from Middle High German pischulle, from Czech píšt'ala, literally, pipe, fife; akin to Czech pištět to squeak

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pistol was circa 1560

Phrases Containing pistol

Rhymes for pistol

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Browse Nearby Words

Pistoia
pistol
pistol carbine
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Cite this Entry

“Pistol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pistol. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pistol

noun
pis·​tol ˈpis-tᵊl How to pronounce pistol (audio)
: a short firearm made to be aimed and fired with one hand
Etymology

from early French pistole "pistol," from German pistole (same meaning), derived from Czech píšt'ala, literally, "pipe, fife"

More from Merriam-Webster on pistol

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pistol

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