Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of gun that uses compressed air or gas (like CO₂) to propel a projectile, typically a small metal pellet (BB) or a dart. It is designed for target shooting, plinking, or small game hunting and does not use an explosive propellant like gunpowder.

Usage

• An air rifle is a single, complete term for this type of firearm. It is used as a countable noun.
• It is important for safety to always treat an air rifle as a real firearm, even though it is less powerful than a powder-burning rifle.

Examples

• He practiced his aim in the backyard with a new air rifle.
• Safety goggles should always be worn when operating an air rifle.
• The air rifle competition required great precision and steady hands.

Advanced Usage

• "to pump up an air rifle": Refers to the action of manually compressing air in a pump-action air rifle before firing.
  • He had to pump the air rifle ten times to achieve the correct pressure.

Variants and Related Words

• Air gun: A broader term that can include both rifle-shaped and pistol-shaped air-powered guns.
• Pellet gun: A common synonym, though technically some pellet guns are air rifles and some are spring-piston guns.
• BB gun: A specific type of air gun that fires spherical BBs, often (but not always) in the shape of a rifle.
• Spring-piston rifle: A common type of air rifle where a spring-driven piston compresses air to fire the pellet.

Synonyms

• Pellet rifle
• BB gun (context-dependent)

Related Phrases

• "Plinking with an air rifle": Informal target shooting at objects like tin cans.
  • Their favorite weekend activity was plinking with an air rifle at the old farm.

Noun

1. a gun that propels a projectile by compressed air