assault rifle

noun

: any of various intermediate-range, magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47) that can be set for automatic or semiautomatic fire
also : a rifle that resembles a military assault rifle but is designed to allow only semiautomatic fire

Examples of assault rifle in a Sentence

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 weapon tiers will remain largely the same, so assault rifles will still stack above SMGs in their effectiveness. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 And five months later, less than three miles from the NSSF’s Connecticut headquarters at the time, another young man, armed with an assault rifle, slaughtered 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School, including 20 children. Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 5 Feb. 2025 Scott Peterson/Getty Images/The Christian Science Monitor Recently mobilized Ukrainian infantry soldiers of the 59th Separate Mechanized Brigade fire assault rifles on a training ground near Pokrovsk, Ukraine, Jan. 19, 2025. Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Feb. 2025 Welch was also accused of trying to get into a locked room by forcing the door open, first with a butter knife and then shooting his assault rifle multiple times into the door. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for assault rifle 

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of assault rifle was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near assault rifle

Cite this Entry

“Assault rifle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assault%20rifle. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

assault rifle

noun
: any of various especially automatic rifles designed for military use

called also assault weapon

More from Merriam-Webster on assault rifle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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