weap ‧ on S3 W2 /ˈwepən/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: wæpen ]
1 . something that you use to fight with or attack someone with, such as a knife, bomb, or gun:
They all had sticks which they planned to use as weapons.
2 . an action, piece of information, piece of equipment etc that you can use to win or be successful in doing something:
a new weapon in the fight against AIDS
Right now, she felt the need of every weapon in her armoury (=weapon that she had) , including surprise.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + weapon
▪ nuclear/atomic weapons
The country is thought to be developing nuclear weapons.
▪ conventional weapons (=not nuclear)
With conventional weapons, the destruction is not so drastic.
▪ chemical/biological weapons (=weapons that use chemicals such as poisonous gases, or dangerous germs)
Troops may have been exposed to chemical weapons.
▪ an offensive weapon (=one that can be used to attack someone illegally)
He was charged with carrying an offensive weapon.
▪ a lethal/deadly weapon (=one that can kill)
A knife is a lethal weapon.
▪ the murder weapon (=the weapon used to kill someone)
Police found a knife at the scene that is believed to be the murder weapon.
▪ an automatic weapon (=an automatic gun)
He was shot 120 times with automatic weapons.
■ verbs
▪ carry a weapon
The man is believed to be carrying a weapon.
▪ use a weapon
They claim the government used chemical weapons against them.
▪ fire a weapon (=shoot a gun or missile)
Police were told not to fire their weapons.