Word forms: plural water cannons, plural water cannon
countable noun
A water cannon is a machine which shoots out a large, powerful stream of water. It is used by police to break up crowds of people who are protesting or fighting.
water cannon in British English
noun
an apparatus for pumping water through a nozzle at high pressure, used in quelling riots
water cannon in American English
a pumping device which produces a powerful jet of water, used as by the police to disperse crowds
Examples of 'water cannon' in a sentence
water cannon
Police used water cannon and tear gas on the rioters yesterday.
The Sun (2014)
Police drove them back with clubs and water cannons.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Officers will consider using water cannon to control crowds if public disorder continues.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Fire engines and a police water cannon were also used in the latest attempt to regain control of the plant.