1. A weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
   "The police officer drew his gun when he saw the suspect reach for a weapon"
    
2. Large but transportable armament
   "The soldiers carried guns into the combat zone";
   - artillery, heavy weapon, ordnance
    
3. A person who shoots a gun (as regards their ability)
   "He was known as the best gun in the county";
   - gunner
    
4. A professional killer who uses a gun
   "The old Western town was terrorized by a notorious hired gun";
   - gunslinger, hired gun, gun for hire [informal], triggerman, torpedo, shooter
    
5. A hand-operated pump that resembles a pistol; forces grease into parts of a machine
   "The mechanic used a grease gun to lubricate the car's joints";
   - grease gun
    
6. (military) the discharge of a firearm as signal or as a salute in military ceremonies
   "two runners started before the gun"; "a twenty gun salute"

1. Shoot with a gun
   "He was gunned down"
    
2. Offer vigorous support to a person or cause
   "The union was gunning for higher wages in the upcoming negotiations"
    
3. Attack someone, try to cause someone's downfall
   "The opposition gunned for the prime minister during the debate"

Derived forms: guns, gunning, gunned

See also: gun down

Type of: arm, armament, blast, discharge, firing, firing off, liquidator, manslayer [archaic], murderer, pump, shoot, shooter, shot, weapon, weapon system

Part of: battery

Encyclopedia: Gun, Richard