1
a
: an action of shooting
b
: a directed propelling of a missile
specifically
: a directed discharge of a firearm
c(1)
: a stroke or throw in an attempt to score points in a game (such as tennis, pool, or basketball)
also
: home run
(2)
: ability to shoot
has the best shot on the team
d
e
: a medical or narcotics injection
2
a
plural shot
: something propelled by shooting
especially
: small lead or steel pellets especially forming a charge for a shotgun
b
: a metal sphere of iron or brass that is heaved in the shot put
4
: a charge to be paid : scot
5
: one that shoots
especially
: marksman
6
b
: guess, conjecture
c
: chance sense 4a
a shot at winning the prize
d
: a single appearance as an entertainer
did a guest shot for the program
7
: an effective remark
8
a
: a single photographic exposure
especially
: snapshot
b
: a single sequence of a movie or a television program shot by one camera without interruption
9
: a charge of explosives
10
a
: a small measure or serving (such as one ounce) of undiluted liquor or other beverage
vodka shots
a shot of espresso
b
: a small amount applied at one time : dose
a shot of fertilizer
a shot of humor
shot
2 of 3past tense and past participle of shoot
1
a
of a fabric
: having contrasting and changeable color effects : iridescent
b
: suffused or streaked with a color
hair shot with gray
c
: infused or permeated with a quality or element
shot through with wit
2
: having the form of pellets resembling shot
3
: reduced to a ruined or useless state
his nerves are shot
Synonyms
Examples of shot in a Sentence
Noun
cannon operators often had to use several shots to figure out the range of their targets
let's take another shot at the puzzle
Adjective
The tires on the car are shot.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
The protestors boo Jacob away so Barbara takes her shot at controlling the crowd.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 5 Sep. 2024
Devin Booker had short arms, marginal athleticism and wasn’t enough of a shot creator.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shot 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The contribution from him was small but encouraging: a baby hook with the left hand, a good help read to block a shot before the third-quarter buzzer, a pair of boards.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
The protestors boo Jacob away so Barbara takes her shot at controlling the crowd.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Adjective
My first hunt for that giant buck resulted in a sighting, but no shot opportunity.
—Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 5 Sep. 2024
Devin Booker had short arms, marginal athleticism and wasn’t enough of a shot creator.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shot
Dictionary Entries Near shot
Cite this Entry
“Shot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shot. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shot
1 of 3 noun1
a
: an action of shooting
b
: an aimed discharge of a weapon (as a gun or cannon)
c
: a stroke or throw in a game
especially
: an attempt at scoring
d
: an injection of something (as a medicine or vaccine) into the body
penicillin shots
2
a
plural shot
: something sent by shooting
especially
: small lead or steel pellets forming a charge for a shotgun
b
: a heavy metal ball thrown for distance in the shot put
3
: the flight of a missile or the distance it travels : range
within rifle shot
4
: a person who shoots
a good shot
5
a
: attempt entry 2 sense 1, try
take another shot at the puzzle
b
: chance
has a good shot at winning
6
b
: a single portion of a movie or a television program shot by one camera without stopping
7
a
: a small measure or amount of alcoholic liquor
b
: a small amount applied at one time : dose
shot
2 of 3past and past participle of shoot
shot
3 of 3 adjective1
: marked or streaked with a different color
blue shot with silver
hair shot with gray
2
: brought to a state of ruin or uselessness
my nerves were shot
the tires are shot
Medical Definition
shot
1 of 2 noun
: an injection of a drug, immunizing substance, nutrient, or medicament
a tetanus shot
see booster shot, flu shot
shot
2 of 2past and past part of shoot
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