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# gun

noun (a gun, guns); verb (gun, guns, gunned, gunning — informal)

«gun» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A gun is a weapon that fires bullets or other objects through a metal tube using explosive force. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/#m1)
2. A gun is a tool that shoots something out, like a water gun, glue gun or starting gun. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/#m2)
3. To gun an engine (informal) is to make it go very fast. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/#m3)
4. To be gunning for someone (informal) is to be trying to harm or criticise them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/#m4)

### In the lessons

In safety lessons, the rule is: if you ever find a real gun, STOP, DON'T TOUCH, LEAVE the area and TELL a grown-up; never assume it is a toy or unloaded. Toy guns should look clearly like toys. In sport, a starting gun begins a race. In history, guns changed how wars were fought. Phrases: «water gun», «glue gun», «starting gun», «jump the gun» (start too soon), «stick to your guns» (not change your mind).

### Examples

- If you find a gun, don't touch it; tell an adult right away. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/#x1)
- We had a water gun fight in the garden. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/#x2)
- The race began with the starting gun. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/#x3)
- Use the glue gun only with a teacher's help. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/#x4)
- Don't jump the gun; wait until everyone is ready. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/#x5)
- She stuck to her guns and kept telling the truth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/#x6)
- Police in the UK usually don't carry guns. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/#x7)
- The pirate ship fired its guns. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/#x8)
- Niels took his gun with him. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/#x9)

### Note

Plural guns. Laws on guns are very different between countries: in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand few people have them, while in the USA more homes do. A safety rule for children everywhere: never touch a gun, even if a friend says it's fine.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «gun» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gun/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«gun» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/gun.html) on Mova free.