big gun

noun

: one having preeminent status or power in a field

Examples of big gun in a Sentence

for a high-profile case like this, the law firm uses only its big guns
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
New York’s big guns were silent, especially on the power play, which has been moribund for a month. Arthur Staple, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 The Devils mostly dictated play when Edmonton’s big guns weren’t on the ice. Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025 The ’Davis Gun’ was not successful in putting big guns on biplanes. David Hambling, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Channel 4 is bringing back its big guns with a Russell T. Davies drama and the return of a David Mitchell and Robert Webb sketch comedy after 15 years. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for big gun

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of big gun was in 1830

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20gun. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!