shotgun

1 of 2

noun

shot·​gun ˈshät-ˌgən How to pronounce shotgun (audio)
1
: a usually smoothbore shoulder weapon capable of firing shot at short ranges
2
: an offensive football formation in which the quarterback plays a few yards behind the line of scrimmage and the other backs are scattered as flankers or slotbacks
shotgun transitive verb
shotgunner noun

shotgun

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or using a shotgun
2
: involving coercion
3
: covering a wide field with hit-or-miss effectiveness

Examples of shotgun 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.
Noun
In the early morning hours of March 5, 2014, Derek stood outside in the snow near the garage and shot himself in the face with a 10-gauge shotgun. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 19 Nov. 2024 In the summer of 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez burst into the den of their family’s Beverly Hills home armed with shotguns and opened fire, killing their mother and father. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Last season, Jackson went under center on just five drop-backs, while the Ravens’ primary ball-carriers had just 24 carries in non-shotgun looks. Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, 3 June 2021 In 2019, in non-shotgun formations, Jackson had 19 drop-backs and combined with Ravens running backs for 27 carries, according to Sports Info Solutions. Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, 3 June 2021 See all Example Sentences for shotgun 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shotgun was in 1776

Dictionary Entries Near shotgun

Cite this Entry

“Shotgun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shotgun. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

shotgun

noun
shot·​gun
ˈshät-ˌgən
: a firearm used to fire small shot at short range
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!