railgun

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An electromagnetic gun that uses a large electrical current to propel a projectile down a track of two parallel conductive rails.
  2. A railway gun.
  3. A benchrest rifle.

Pronunciation

/ˈɹeɪl.ɡʌn/ /ˈɹeɪ.jəl.ɡʌn/ [ˈɹeɪɫ.ɡʌn] [ˈɹeɪ.jəɫ.ɡʌn]

Word forms

railgun railguns rail gun

Etymology

From rail + gun. * (railway gun): From being a gun mounted on a rail car, and being railroad-mobile. * (EM gun): From being a projectile ejecting device with a pair of electric conducting rails that a launch sled runs along, which shoots the projectile.

Related words

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