Definition

1. Noun:
   • A portable automatic firearm: A submachine gun is a compact, fully automatic firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder or hip, typically using pistol-caliber ammunition.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The soldier carried a submachine gun for close-quarters combat.
  • Police tactical units are often equipped with submachine guns.
  • The weapon found at the scene was identified as a 9mm submachine gun.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Classification: In military and law enforcement contexts, a "submachine gun" is distinguished from an assault rifle by its use of pistol cartridges and its shorter effective range.
  • The MP5 is a classic example of a submachine gun used by special forces worldwide.

Variants and Related Words

• Machine pistol: A handheld, fully automatic firearm that is smaller than a typical submachine gun and often lacks a shoulder stock.
  • The Glock 18 is a well-known machine pistol.
• Personal defense weapon (PDW): A modern class of compact automatic firearms, often bridging the gap between submachine guns and assault rifles.
  • The FN P90 was designed as a personal defense weapon.

Synonyms

• Automatic weapon: A general term for any firearm capable of automatic fire.
• Machine carbine: An older, less common synonym for submachine gun.

Related Phrases

• "To be armed with a submachine gun": To carry or possess this specific type of firearm.
  • The security detail was armed with submachine guns.

Noun

1. machine gun that is a portable automatic firearm