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.
Askew’s uncle said his nephew was partially paralyzed by the gunshot and that blood clots in his legs led to an aneurysm. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 Warren police say officers found a 40-year-old man with a gunshot wound. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 Investigators found a 17-year-old with a gunshot wound, the agency said. — Sara-James Ranta, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026 Officers found the bodies of a man and woman with gunshot wounds, and both were pronounced dead at the scene. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 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 16 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of gunshot for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gunshot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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