1
: a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel
broadly
: handgun
2
: 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
At the time of its invention over 80 years ago, the PPK inspired an entirely new category in the firearm industry, now widely known as the concealed carry pistol.
—
Chris Dorsey, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Meanwhile, Barrow was found guilty of assault, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a pistol, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2024
Twelve rifles and pistols were recovered at his home when he was arrested Nov. 7 and police seized more than 15,000 bullets of various calibers, including the armor-piercing rounds.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Police said Cutler was found to have two firearms in his vehicle, including a loaded pistol.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pistol 
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.
Chris Dorsey, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Meanwhile, Barrow was found guilty of assault, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a pistol, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2024
Twelve rifles and pistols were recovered at his home when he was arrested Nov. 7 and police seized more than 15,000 bullets of various calibers, including the armor-piercing rounds.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Police said Cutler was found to have two firearms in his vehicle, including a loaded pistol.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pistol
Dictionary Entries Near pistol
Cite this Entry
“Pistol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pistol. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share