any one of a number of gases or vapours that make the eyes smart and water, causing temporary blindness; usually dispersed from grenades and used in warfare and to control riots
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
tear gas /ˈtɪr ˌgæs/USA pronunciation n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- Chemistrya gas that stings the eyes and makes them water, thus producing temporary blindness, used in battles or to put down riots, etc.
tear′ gas′
(tēr),USA pronunciation
tear-gas (tēr′gas′),USA pronunciation v.t., -gassed, -gas•sing.
- Chemistrya gas that makes the eyes smart and water, thus producing a temporary blindness, used in modern warfare, to quell riots, etc.
- 1915–20
tear-gas (tēr′gas′),USA pronunciation v.t., -gassed, -gas•sing.
- to subject to tear gas.
- 1945–50