assault rifle

noun

: any of various intermediate-range, magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47) that can be set for automatic or semiautomatic fire

also : a rifle that resembles a military assault rifle but is designed to allow only semiautomatic fire

Examples of assault rifle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then in 1989, an assailant attacked an elementary school in Stockton, California, using an assault rifle to kill five people and wound 29, prompting public outcry and calls to restrict such weapons. — Robert Spitzer, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026

According to the complaint, Mohamud knowingly received a firearm and ammunition, including a Norinco AK-47 assault rifle and approximately 200 live rounds of ammunition, to commit a felony and a federal crime of terrorism. — Whitney Wild, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026

Authorities say Ortiz raked Rihanna’s home and an Airstream trailer parked on her Beverly Crest property with bullets from an assault rifle March 8. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

The first incident occurred Saturday evening when eight gunmen armed with assault rifles stormed a bar west of Johannesburg and shot 17 people and wounded 15 others. — CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for assault rifle

• hyphal
• stifle
• trifle

Kids Definition

assault rifle

noun

: any of various especially automatic rifles designed for military use

called also assault weapon