Meaning & Definition of word "Handgun"

Handgun

ˈhændˌɡʌn

1. A short firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.
- Example: The officer drew his handgun when he spotted the suspect.
2. A type of firearm that is particularly easy to conceal, such as a revolver or pistol.
- Example: She decided to purchase a small handgun for personal protection.
3. A weapon that is often used in competitive shooting sports.
- Example: He practices regularly at the range to improve his skills with a handgun.
4. A firearm that is categorized separately from rifles and shotguns.
- Example: The law allows for the ownership of a handgun as long as it is registered.
5. A personal defense firearm that is usually semi-automatic.
- Example: Many people prefer a semi-automatic handgun for its ease of use in self-defense situations.

●The term 'handgun' combines 'hand-' referring to the manual operation and '-gun' indicating a firearm.

having a handgun:

Possessing a handgun, usually in a legal context.

draw a handgun:

To quickly take out a handgun, often from a holster.

carry a handgun:

To have a handgun on one's person, typically for self-defense.

pistol:

A type of handgun that typically has a single barrel and is semi-automatic or revolver-based.

revolver:

A type of handgun that has a revolving cylinder containing multiple chambers.

Meaning: piece

● Example Sentence: He pulled out his piece when he felt threatened.

Meaning: gat

● Example Sentence: You better watch out, he's got a gat in his waistband.