English Reference
Noun

handgun

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈhændˌɡən/ UK /hˈændɡʌn/ hand·gun UK spelling handguns

n.a small gun that you can hold and fire with just one hand.

n.a firearm designed to be held and operated by a single hand, such as a pistol or revolver.


SIMPLE

The officer carried a handgun in a holster on his belt.

CONTEXTUAL

The local government introduced stricter laws regarding the storage and transport of a handgun within city limits.

COMPLEX

While rifles are preferred for long-range accuracy, the handgun remains the primary choice for personal protection due to its compact size and ease of concealment.


From hand + gun.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated