WEAPON

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does weapon mean? 

• WEAPON (noun)
  The noun WEAPON has 2 senses:

1. any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

2. a means of persuading or arguing

  Familiarity information: WEAPON used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WEAPON (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

arm; weapon; weapon system

Context example:

he was licensed to carry a weapon

Hypernyms ("weapon" is a kind of...):

instrument (a device that requires skill for proper use)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "weapon"):

missile; projectile (a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets but is not self-propelled)

Greek fire (a mixture used by Byzantine Greeks that was often shot at adversaries; catches fire when wetted)

W.M.D.; weapon of mass destruction; WMD (a weapon that kills or injures civilian as well as military personnel (nuclear and chemical and biological weapons))

hatchet; tomahawk (weapon consisting of a fighting ax; used by North American Indians)

blade; brand; steel; sword (a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard)

stun baton; stun gun (a weapon designed to disable a victim temporarily by delivering a nonlethal high-voltage electric shock)

lance; shaft; spear (a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon)

sling (a simple weapon consisting of a looped strap in which a projectile is whirled and then released)

slasher (a weapon (a sword or dagger) used for slashing)

bow (a weapon for shooting arrows, composed of a curved piece of resilient wood with a taut cord to propel the arrow)

pike (medieval weapon consisting of a spearhead attached to a long pole or pikestaff; superseded by the bayonet)

missile (a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control)

light arm (a rifle or pistol)

knife (a weapon with a handle and blade with a sharp point)

gun (a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel))

flamethrower (a weapon that squirts ignited fuel for several yards)

fire ship (a weapon consisting of a ship carrying explosives that is set adrift to destroy enemy ships)

brass knuckles; brass knucks; knuckle duster; knuckles; knucks ((used in the plural) a small metal weapon; worn over the knuckles on the back of the hand)

bow and arrow (a weapon consisting of arrows and the bow to shoot them)

Holonyms ("weapon" is a part of...):

arms; implements of war; munition; weaponry; weapons system (weapons considered collectively)

Derivation:

weaponize (make into or use as a weapon or a potential weapon)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A means of persuading or arguing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

artillery; weapon

Context example:

he used all his conversational weapons

Hypernyms ("weapon" is a kind of...):

persuasion; suasion (the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action)

 Context examples 

Nor was it difficult to guess what that weapon may have been.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He did not know White Fang's breed, so for weapon he took a light buggy-whip.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

But this blow was delivered with such violence that the head of the weapon sank deep into the wall.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

At the same moment Dr. Van Helsing and I rose behind the rock and pointed our weapons at them.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

He would contend with these five knights, each to choose such weapons as suit him best.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Wolf Larsen was too wise for that, and, besides, they had no adequate weapons.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

It is a general term that refers to harm caused by accidents, falls, blows, burns, weapons, and more.

(Injuries, NIH)

If I were to go back to camp to change my weapon I could hardly expect to enter and to leave again without being seen.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He tried to jerk the weapon away from her, but she came in closer and clung to him.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

There is no sign of any other weapon.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)