# carbine

/ˈkɑɹˌbaɪn/ (US) · /kˈɑːbaɪn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/carbine
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a short, light rifle that is easier to carry and use in tight spaces than a regular long rifle.

For teachers: a short, light rifle, typically designed for use by soldiers or hunters in confined environments.

## Examples

- The soldier carried a carbine for close combat.
- During the battle, the infantry relied on the carbine to move quickly through the dense forest.
- The transition from the heavy musket to the lighter carbine allowed for greater mobility on the battlefield, fundamentally changing the tactics of 19th-century warfare.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.