semiautomatic

adjective

semi·​au·​to·​mat·​ic ˌse-mē-ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce semiautomatic (audio)
ˌse-ˌmī-,
-mi-
: not fully automatic: such as
a
: operated partly automatically and partly by hand
b
of a firearm : able to fire repeatedly through an automatic reloading process but requiring release and another pressure of the trigger for each successive shot
a semiautomatic rifle
semiautomatic noun
semiautomatically adverb

Examples of semiautomatic in a Sentence

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.
Senate Bill 1657 would increase the minimum age from 18 to 21 years to purchase AR-15s and other semiautomatic rifles. Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 These weapons included an assault-style rifle and a semiautomatic handgun with an extended magazine. Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 Second Amendment advocates argue that bans on semiautomatic rifles do little to nothing to curb mass shootings. Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 21 June 2025 Prosecutors ultimately charged her with firing a gun with gross negligence and assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for semiautomatic

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of semiautomatic was in 1853

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Cite this Entry

“Semiautomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiautomatic. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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