# pistol

/ˈpɪstəɫ/ (US) · /pˈɪstəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pistol
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a handgun

noun · CEFR B2

a small gun that is designed to be held and fired with one hand.

For teachers: a firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand, typically a semi-automatic or a revolver.

- The officer carried a pistol in a holster on his belt.
- The museum's collection includes several ornate duelling pistols from the eighteenth century, each featuring intricate silver engravings on the barrel.

### 2. an energetic person

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · American English

a person who is very lively, energetic, or determined.

For teachers: a person characterised by high energy, spirit, or a feisty temperament.

- Even at eighty years old, my grandmother is a real pistol.
- The new intern is a total pistol, constantly pitching ambitious ideas and working late to ensure every detail is perfect.

Teaching tip: This is a complimentary but informal Americanism; it suggests the person is small but powerful or surprisingly active.

### 3. football formation

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Technical

a specific way players stand in American football to start a play.

For teachers: an offensive formation in American football where the quarterback stands a few yards behind the centre with a running back behind him.

- The team switched to the pistol formation to confuse the defense.
- By utilising the pistol formation, the offense was able to maintain a strong running game while still threatening a quick passing attack.

### 4. mechanical fuse

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the part of a bomb or torpedo that makes it explode.

For teachers: the mechanical device in a bomb, mine, or torpedo that triggers the detonator upon impact or at a set time.

- The technician carefully inspected the pistol of the torpedo before loading it.
- The failure of the weapon was attributed to a faulty pistol that failed to ignite the main explosive charge upon contact with the hull.

### 5. to shoot

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to shoot someone or something with a pistol.

For teachers: to shoot a target or individual using a handgun.

- The outlaw was pistoled during the confrontation at the saloon.
- In the final chapter of the novel, the protagonist is pistoled by his rival in a dramatic showdown on the cliffs.

Usage: This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

## Examples

- The officer carried a pistol in a holster on his belt.
- During the competition, the athlete aimed the pistol carefully at the target twenty meters away.
- Historical accounts suggest that the early flintlock pistol was notoriously unreliable in damp weather, often failing to ignite the powder during critical moments of defense.

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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.