gun Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
  2. noun large but transportable armament
    heavy weapon; ordnance; artillery.
  3. noun a person who shoots a gun (as regards their ability)
    gunman.
  4. noun a professional killer who uses a gun
    hit man; gunslinger; hired gun; shooter; triggerman; hitman; gunman; torpedo; gun for hire.
  5. noun a hand-operated pump that resembles a revolver; forces grease into parts of a machine
    grease-gun.
  6. noun a pedal that controls the throttle valve
    gas pedal; throttle; accelerator pedal; accelerator; gas.
    • he stepped on the gas
  7. noun the discharge of a firearm as signal or as a salute in military ceremonies
    • two runners started before the gun
    • a twenty gun salute
  8. verb shoot with a gun

WordNet

Gun noun
Etymology
OE. gonne, gunne; of uncertain origin; cf. Ir., Gael.) A LL. gunna, W. gum; possibly (like cannon) fr. L. canna reed, tube; or abbreviated fr. OF. mangonnel, E. mangonel, a machine for hurling stones.
Definitions
  1. A weapon which throws or propels a missile to a distance; any firearm or instrument for throwing projectiles by the explosion of gunpowder, consisting of a tube or barrel closed at one end, in which the projectile is placed, with an explosive charge behind, which is ignited by various means. Muskets, rifles, carbines, and fowling pieces are smaller guns, for hand use, and are called small arms. Larger guns are called cannon, ordnance, fieldpieces, carronades, howitzers, etc. See these terms in the Vocabulary.
    As swift as a pellet out of a gunne When fire is in the powder runne. Chaucer.
    The word gun was in use in England for an engine to cast a thing from a man long before there was any gunpowder found out. Selden.
  2. (Mil.) A piece of heavy ordnance; in a restricted sense, a cannon.
  3. pl. (Naut.) Violent blasts of wind. ✍ Guns are classified, according to their construction or manner of loading as rifled or smoothbore, breech-loading or muzzle-loading, cast or built-up guns; or according to their use, as field, mountain, prairie, seacoast, and siege guns.
Gun intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To practice fowling or hunting small game; -- chiefly in participial form; as, to go gunning. gun for = pursue with the intent to kill; Fig., to make effort to harm someone, also used humorously; (MW10: "to aim at or go after with determination or effort")

Webster 1913