a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
"The detective carefully examined the gun found on the suspect's bedside table to determine which type of ammunition it had discharged."
large but transportable armament
"The special forces team transported a heavy gun across the border to secure the perimeter before dawn."
a professional killer who uses a gun
"The undercover officer suspected that the man waiting in the alley was a hired gun sent to eliminate the witness."
a hand-operated pump that resembles a pistol; forces grease into parts of a machine
"After changing the oil, he used a grease gun to force lubricant into the engine's moving parts."
a pedal that controls the throttle valve
"he stepped on the gas"
the discharge of a firearm as signal or as a salute in military ceremonies
"two runners started before the gun"
"a twenty gun salute"
A device for projecting a hard object very forcefully; a firearm or cannon.
"The hunter carefully aimed his gun at the distant target before pulling the trigger."
A very portable, short firearm, for hand use, which fires bullets or projectiles, such as a handgun, revolver, pistol, or Derringer.
"The detective carefully inspected the small gun found on the suspect's belt before placing it in evidence."
In plain English: A gun is a weapon that shoots bullets using an explosive charge.
"He kept his gun in the safe at home."
Usage: Use "gun" to refer specifically to a handheld firearm designed to shoot bullets, rather than using it loosely for any projectile device like a water gun or airsoft blaster unless the context clearly distinguishes them. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like "gunny," which refers to coarse fabric or sacks.
shoot with a gun
"The hunter carefully aimed his rifle and waited for the perfect moment to shoot with a gun before spotting the deer in the clearing."
To shoot someone or something, either literally (with a firearm) or figuratively (such as to put an end to something).
"That's a gun idea, but we don't have enough money for it right now."
Nonstandard spelling of going to.
In plain English: To gun something means to move it very quickly or with great force.
"The police officer had to gun the engine to catch up with the speeding car."
Usage: Avoid using "gun" as a verb to mean "going to," as this is nonstandard slang that can sound unprofessional or overly casual in most writing. Instead, use the correct form "gonna" only in informal speech or choose standard alternatives like "going to" for clarity and correctness.
The word "gun" likely comes from the Old Norse female name Gunnhild, which means "battle." Originally used as a nickname for war engines in Middle English, the term traveled into modern usage to describe the weapons themselves.