A weapon is an object such as a gun, a knife, or a missile, which is used to kill or hurt people in a fight or a war.
...nuclear weapons.
2. countable noun
A weapon is something such as knowledge about a particular subject, which you can use to protect yourself or to get what you want in a difficult situation.
I attack politicians with the one weapon they don't have, a sense of humor.
weapon in British English
(ˈwɛpən)
noun
1.
an object or instrument used in fighting
2.
anything that serves to outwit or get the better of an opponent
his power of speech was his best weapon
3.
any part of an animal that is used to defend itself, to attack prey, etc, such as claws, teeth, horns, or a sting
4. a slang word for penis
Derived forms
weaponed (ˈweaponed)
adjective
weaponless (ˈweaponless)
adjective
Word origin
Old English wǣpen; related to Old Norse vápn, Old Frisian wēpen, Old High German wāffan
weapon in American English
(ˈwɛpən)
noun
1.
an instrument or device of any kind used to injure or kill, as in fighting or hunting
2.
any organ or part of an organism used for attacking or defending
3.
any means of attack or defense
the weapon of the law
Derived forms
weaponed (ˈweaponed)
adjective
weaponless (ˈweaponless)
adjective
Word origin
ME wepen < OE wæpen, akin to Ger waffe, ON vāpn, Goth wēpna: base found only in Gmc
Examples of 'weapon' in a sentence
weapon
His vaguely expressed initiative on nuclear weapons prompted scepticism in Moscow.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
I think they are going to fight and chemical weapons are going to be part of it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I think nuclear weapons should be way down and reduced very substantially.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
And for those who like crime history on the gruesome side, there's also a look at body parts and murder weapons.
The Sun (2016)
You can fight a dandy war with conventional weapons.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Most modern weapons systems can be used for either purpose.
McInnes, Colin NATO's Changing Strategic Agenda (1990)
This country has been attacked by nuclear weapons.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We would be crazy to enter into an open land war with these weapons.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There is no rigid divide between nuclear and conventional weapons.
Hirst, Paul After Thatcher (1989)
Their only crime was to ask for weapons to fight.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Use of chemical weapons is a war crime.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The vast majority of deaths and injuries always were caused by conventional weapons.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Three people were arrested and weapons including a knife, knuckle duster and hammers were seized.
The Sun (2016)
There is no rupture in the party as there has been in the past on issues such as nuclear weapons or Europe.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Quotations
The only arms I allow myself to use, silence, exile, and cunningJames JoyceA Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Our swords shall play the orators for usChristopher MarloweTamburlaine the Great
Weapons are like money; no one knows the meaning of enoughMartin AmisEinstein's Monsters
In other languages
weapon
British English: weapon /ˈwɛpən/ NOUN
A weapon is an object such as a gun, knife, or missile.
One could not hunt without weapons.
American English: weapon
Arabic: سِلاح
Brazilian Portuguese: arma
Chinese: 武器
Croatian: oružje
Czech: zbraň
Danish: våben
Dutch: wapen
European Spanish: arma
Finnish: ase
French: arme
German: Waffe
Greek: όπλο
Italian: arma
Japanese: 武器
Korean: 무기
Norwegian: våpen
Polish: broń
European Portuguese: arma
Romanian: armă
Russian: оружие
Latin American Spanish: arma
Swedish: vapen
Thai: อาวุธ
Turkish: silah
Ukrainian: зброя
Vietnamese: vũ khí
All related terms of 'weapon'
weapon dog
a dog, esp. a bulldog or pit bull terrier , kept as a pet and trained to intimidate and attack others
atomic weapon
a weapon in which energy is provided by nuclear fission
binary weapon
a chemical weapon consisting of a projectile containing two substances separately that mix to produce a lethal agent when the projectile is fired
laser weapon
weapons which make use of lasers or lasers used as weapons
murder weapon
the weapon that was used in a murder
secret weapon
Someone's secret weapon is a thing or person which they believe will help them achieve something and which other people do not know about.
weapon system
a weapon and the components necessary to its proper function, such as targeting and guidance devices
doomsday weapon
any weapon of extreme lethal or destructive power; superweapon
nuclear weapon
a weapon which explodes by means of a nuclear reaction and which causes mass destruction and is extremely deadly
biological weapon
a weapon which uses a biological agent to harm people and other living organisms
offensive weapon
an instrument designed to be used in attack , or an object which may be used in attack
traditional weapon
a weapon having ceremonial tribal significance , such as an assegai or knobkerrie
bioweapon
Bioweapons are biological weapons , which involve the use of bacteria or other living organisms in order to destroy other organisms which are harmful to plants and crops .
particle beam weapon
a weapon that fires particle beams into the atmosphere or space
enhanced radiation weapon
a type of nuclear weapon designed to provide a high yield of neutrons but to cause little blast or long-lived radioactive contamination . The neutrons destroy all life in the target area, which theoretically can be entered relatively soon after the attack
assault rifle
a firearm that is capable of firing multiple rounds in a very short period
intermediate range ballistic missile
a missile that follows a ballistic trajectory with a medium range , normally of the order of 750–1500 miles
Chinese translation of 'weapon'
weapon
(ˈwɛpən)
n(c)
(lit) 武器 (wǔqì) (种(種), zhǒng)
(fig) 手段 (shǒuduàn)
see also subject word lists:
See BombsSee GunsSee MissilesSee Swords and other weapons with bladesSee Types of club
subject word lists
See Projectile weaponsSee Miscellaneous weapons
Quotations
The only arms I allow myself to use, silence, exile, and cunning [James Joyce – A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man]Our swords shall play the orators for us [Christopher Marlowe – Tamburlaine the Great]Weapons are like money; no one knows the meaning of enough [Martin Amis – Einstein's Monsters]