big gun

noun

: one having preeminent status or power in a field

Examples of big gun in a Sentence

for a high-profile case like this, the law firm uses only its big guns
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are big guns, big swords and, by the sound of it, a whole lot of crazy. Alex Ritman, Variety, 27 May 2025 But that enemy once again includes potentially large numbers of North Koreans, as well as their big guns and missile launchers. David Axe, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 Most players expect to be handed a big gun, or some other lethal power, and get sent out on missions to knock around bad guys and cause some property destruction. The New York Times, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 Can Ukraine keep its big guns firing as Trump aligns the United States with Russia and halts further U.S. aid to Ukraine? David Axe, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for big gun

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of big gun was in 1830

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20gun. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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