machine gun
/məˈʃiːn ɡʌn/
NOUN
1. A fully automatic firearm
A firearm designed to fire multiple bullets rapidly and continuously while the trigger is held, using an automatic loading and firing mechanism.
1.1. Automatic firearms and military weapons
Refers to a fully automatic firearm capable of sustained rapid fire, commonly associated with military use and armed combat.
Synonyms
- Gatling gun
- machine gun
- MG
- mitrailleuse
Examples
- The soldiers carried a heavy machine gun into the battlefield.
- The historic exhibit displayed a World War II-era machine gun used by infantry.
- The military museum presented several historical examples of automatic firearms.
Related Words
- firearm
- gun
- automatic weapon
- submachine gun
- machine pistol
- assault rifle
- carbine
- repeater
- self-loader
- small arm
- weapon
VERB
2. To fire a machine gun or shoot rapidly
To shoot at someone or something with a machine gun, or to discharge bullets rapidly in succession.
2.1. Firing automatic weapons
Describes firing a machine gun or directing rapid, continuous gunfire toward a target.
Synonyms
- blazes
- shoots
- fires
- peppers
Examples
- The soldiers machine-gunned the target during the training exercise.
- In the historical account, the position was machine-gunned during the battle.
- The action scene depicted a character firing rapidly with an automatic weapon.
Related Words
- gunfire
- shooting
- automatic fire
- barrage
- volleys
- rapid fire
- firearms