semiautomatic
adjective
semi·au·to·mat·ic
ˌse-mē-ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik 
ˌse-ˌmī-,
-mi-
: not fully automatic: such as
a
: operated partly automatically and partly by hand
b
of a firearm
: able to fire repeatedly through an automatic reloading process but requiring release and another pressure of the trigger for each successive shot
a semiautomatic rifle
semiautomatic
noun
Examples of semiautomatic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In moving to prevent the sale of such devices, the Biden administration cited the frequency at which AR-15-style semiautomatic firearms have been used in mass shootings nationwide.
—
Nate Raymond, USA Today, 18 May 2025
The law was amended again in 2019 to further restrict the sale of semiautomatic rifles to people under 21, also with some exceptions.
—Christian Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Nowhere is that more evident than at the 240,000-square-foot factory in central Italy of Benelli Armi, a Beretta subsidiary that makes semiautomatic shotguns.
—Giacomo Tognini, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Three sixth-grade students were detained this week after one of them was found to have a semiautomatic handgun and ammunition in his or her backpack at Vista View Middle School in Fountain Valley, authorities said.
—Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for semiautomatic
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.
Nate Raymond, USA Today, 18 May 2025
The law was amended again in 2019 to further restrict the sale of semiautomatic rifles to people under 21, also with some exceptions.
—Christian Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Nowhere is that more evident than at the 240,000-square-foot factory in central Italy of Benelli Armi, a Beretta subsidiary that makes semiautomatic shotguns.
—Giacomo Tognini, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Three sixth-grade students were detained this week after one of them was found to have a semiautomatic handgun and ammunition in his or her backpack at Vista View Middle School in Fountain Valley, authorities said.
—Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for semiautomatic
Cite this Entry
“Semiautomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semiautomatic. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share