# musket

/ˈməskət/ (US) · /mˈʌskɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/musket
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a long, heavy gun that was used by soldiers in the past. It is slower to reload than a modern rifle.

For teachers: a long-barrelled, shoulder-fired smoothbore firearm, typically used by infantry in the 16th to 19th centuries.

## Examples

- The soldiers loaded their muskets before the battle began.
- The museum display features a historical musket that was used during the American Revolution.
- The transition from the musket to the rifle marked a significant shift in military tactics, as the latter allowed for much greater accuracy and range on the battlefield.

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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.