weapon

UK: /ˈwɛpən/ US: /ˈwɛpən/ ,(wep′ən)

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

weap•on /ˈwɛpən/   n. [countable]

1. an instrument or device used for attack or defense:
   spears, arrows, guns, and other weapons.
2. something used against an opponent or enemy:
   Her sharp wit is an important weapon in debating opponents.

weap•on•less, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

weap•on  (wep′ən), n. 

1. any instrument or device for use in attack or defense in combat, fighting, or war, as a sword, rifle, or cannon.
2. anything used against an opponent, adversary, or victim:
   the deadly weapon of satire.
3. Zoology any part or organ serving for attack or defense, as claws, horns, teeth, or stings.

v.t. 

4. to supply or equip with a weapon or weapons:
   to weapon aircraft with heat-seeking missiles.

• bef. 900; Middle English wepen, Old English wǣpen; cognate with German Waffe, Old Norse vāpn, Gothic wēpna (plural)

weap′oned, adj. 
weap′on•less, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

weapon / ˈwɛpən/ noun

1. an object or instrument used in fighting
2. anything that serves to outwit or get the better of an opponent: his power of speech was his best weapon
3. any part of an animal that is used to defend itself, to attack prey, etc, such as claws, teeth, horns, or a sting
4. a slang word for penis

Etymology: Old English wǣpen; related to Old Norse vápn, Old Frisian wēpen, Old High German wāffan

ˈweaponed adjective

ˈweaponless adjective