pistol

noun

pis·tol ˈpi-stᵊl

Synonyms of pistol

: a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel

broadly : handgun

: a notably sharp, spirited, or energetic person

pistol transitive verb

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.

The teen stabbed a police officer with a knife and stole his weapon -- a 9mm pistol -- just before the incident, then used it to carry out the attack. — CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 They were reportedly found to contain six handguns, Glock slides, trigger assemblies, sight assemblies, rifle magazines, pistol magazines, AM15 rifle parts, a suppressor kit, ammunition and other firearm parts, officials said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026 When the ammunition in one magazine was gone outside Gene’s house near North Crowley High School, Xavier reloaded a pistol with a second magazine, firing about 25 rounds in total. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2026 One of the riders appears to pull out a pistol and shoots the influencer point blank. — Los Angeles Times, 5 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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pistol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pistol. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pistol

noun

pis·tol ˈpis-tᵊl

: 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"

pistol

noun

Synonyms of pistol

Examples of pistol in a Sentence

Word History

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pistol

noun

Synonyms of pistol

Examples of pistol in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing pistol

Rhymes for pistol

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on pistol

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