Definition

Noun: A firearm that uses the energy from a fired round to automatically cycle its action. This process ejects the spent cartridge case, chambers a new round from its magazine, and prepares the weapon to fire again. This cycle repeats as long as the trigger is held down and ammunition is available, enabling sustained rapid fire.

Usage

The term "automatic weapon" is used to describe a class of firearms with a specific mechanical function. It is a technical and legal term. * It is important to distinguish between automatic fire (continuous while the trigger is held) and semi-automatic fire (one shot per trigger pull). * Ownership and use of automatic weapons are heavily regulated in many countries.

Examples

• The military squad was equipped with automatic weapons for suppressive fire.
• Fully automatic weapons have been largely prohibited for civilian ownership since 1986 in the United States.
• The museum had a display of historical automatic weapons from World War II.

Advanced Usage

• Legal Context: In legal and regulatory texts, "automatic weapon" has a precise definition, often contrasting with "machine gun" (which may refer to a specific type of crew-served automatic weapon) and "semi-automatic firearm."
• Technical Specification: The rate of fire for an automatic weapon is measured in rounds per minute (RPM).

Variants and Related Words

• Machine gun: Often used as a synonym, though it can specifically refer to a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm designed to provide sustained direct fire.
• Assault rifle: A military rifle capable of selective fire (both automatic and semi-automatic modes).
• Submachine gun: A handgun-caliber automatic weapon.
• Automatic rifle: An automatic firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder.
• Semi-automatic (adj.): Describes a firearm that fires only one round with each trigger pull and automatically reloads the next round, but does not continue firing.

Synonyms

• Machine gun
• Full-auto firearm
• Auto firearm

Antonyms

• Manual firearm (e.g., bolt-action rifle)
• Semi-automatic firearm (fires only one shot per trigger pull)

Related Phrases

• Selective-fire weapon: A firearm capable of switching between semi-automatic and automatic firing modes.
• Fully automatic: The mode of operation specific to an automatic weapon.
• Automatic fire: The act of discharging an automatic weapon.

Noun

1. a firearm that reloads itself and keeps firing until the trigger is released