Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
tommy-gun
noun
/ˈtɑːmi ɡʌn/
Definition
A tommy gun is a submachine gun that became famous during the early to mid-20th century, particularly associated with gangsters and law enforcement.
Examples
- The gangster wielded a tommy gun during the heist.
- In many classic movies, a tommy gun is depicted as the weapon of choice for mobsters.
- Police forces adopted the tommy gun for use in the early 20th century due to its firepower.
Meaning
The term ‘tommy gun’ refers to a compact, fully automatic firearm that fires pistol cartridges, designed for rapid fire and ease of handling.
Synonyms
- submachine gun
- SMG
- machine pistol