gunner

UK: /ˈgʌnə^r/ US: (gun′ər)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

gun•ner  (gun′ər), n. 

1. a person who operates a gun or cannon.
2. Military [Army.] an occupational title in the artillery.
3. Military [Navy.] a person skilled in handling ammunition and gunnery equipment.
4. Military [Marine Corps.] a warrant officer who may be given any one of a number of assignments.
5. [Brit.]
   • Military a private in the artillery.
   • British Terms [Informal.] any officer or enlisted person assigned to the artillery.
6. a person who hunts with a gun.

• 1300–50; Middle English; see gun¹, -er¹

gun′ner•ship′, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

gunner / ˈɡʌnə/ noun

1. a serviceman who works with, uses, or specializes in guns
2. (formerly) a warrant officer responsible for the training of gun crews, their performance in action, and accounting for ammunition
3. (in the British Army) an artilleryman, esp a private
4. a person who hunts with a rifle or shotgun

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

gun¹ /gʌn/   n., v., gunned, gun•ning. 
n. [countable]

1. a weapon consisting of a metal tube from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive:
   heavy artillery guns.
2. any firearm that may be carried, as a rifle, shotgun, or revolver.
3. any device for shooting or ejecting something under pressure:
   a staple gun.
4. the firing of a weapon as a signal or salute:
   One runner started before the gun.
5. Slang Terms a person whose profession is killing:
   a hired gun.

v. 

6. [~ + object] to cause (an engine or vehicle) to increase in speed very quickly by increasing the supply of fuel.
7. gun down, to shoot with a gun: [~ + down + object]
   The guards gunned down the fleeing convict.
   [~ + object + down]
   The guards gunned him down.
8. gun for, [~ + object]
   • to seek determinedly with hostile intent:
     Watch out, the boss is gunning for you.
   • to try hard to obtain:
     to gun for a raise.

Idioms

9. Idioms stick to or stand by one's guns, to keep steadfastly to one's position, opinion, belief, etc.
10. Idioms under the gun, under pressure, as to meet a deadline or solve a problem.

gun•ner, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

gun¹  (gun), n., v., gunned, gun•ning. 
n. 

1. a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive;
   a piece of ordnance.
2. any portable firearm, as a rifle, shotgun, or revolver.
3. a long-barreled cannon having a relatively flat trajectory.
4. any device for shooting something under pressure:
   a paint gun; a staple gun.
5. Slang Terms a person whose profession is killing;
   professional killer:
   a gangland gun.
6. British Terms a member of a shooting party.
7. Electronics, Radio and Television See electron gun. 
8. give the gun, [Slang.] to put into motion or speed up:
   We gave the motor the gun and drove off.
9. jump the gun, [Slang.]
   • Idioms to begin a race before the starting signal.
   • to begin prematurely;
     act too hastily.
10. Idioms spike someone's guns, to frustrate or prevent someone from accomplishing a plan:
    Our competitors planned a surprise reduction in their rates, but we discovered it and were able to spike their guns.
11. Idioms stick to one's guns, to maintain one's position in the face of opposition;
    stand firm:
    They stuck to their guns and refused to submit.
    Also, stand by one's guns. 
12. Idioms under the gun, under pressure, as to meet a deadline or solve a problem:
    We're all under the gun with these new sales quotas.

v.t. 

13. to shoot with a gun (often fol. by down):
    The guards gunned down the fleeing convict.
14. to cause (an engine, vehicle, aircraft, etc.) to increase in speed very quickly by increasing the supply of fuel.

v.i. 

15. to hunt with a gun.
16. to shoot with a gun.
17. gun for:
    • to seek with intent to harm or kill.
    • to seek;
      try earnestly to obtain:
      He is gunning for a raise.

• 1300–50; Middle English gunne, gonne, apparently short for Anglo-Latin Gunilda, gonnyld, name for engine of war; compare Old Norse Gunna, short for Gunnhildr woman's name

gun′less, adj. 

gun²  (gun), v. 

1. pp. of gin ³.

gun., 

1. gunnery.