firing squad

noun

1
: a detachment detailed to fire volleys over the grave of one buried with military honors
2
: a detachment detailed to carry out a sentence of death by shooting

Examples of firing squad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In that production’s chilling last scene, Alan Cumming’s louche Emcee removes a black trench coat to reveal a concentration camp uniform; a burst of bright white light follows, from, presumably, a firing squad. Adrienne Miller, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2024 There has only been one firing squad execution in 50 years in the U.S. James Farrell, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 This photo provided by the South Carolina Department of Corrections shows the state's death chamber in Columbia, S.C., including the electric chair, right, and a firing squad chair, left. CBS News, 6 Feb. 2024 This is the place where the Spanish firing squad executed Miguel Hidalgo, the leader of the Mexican War of Independence, in 1811. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2024 Lawmakers allowed a firing squad to be added in 2021, as part of the same law that restarted the state's use of the electric chair. CBS News, 6 Feb. 2024 In 1945, Pvt. Eddie Slovik, 24, became the first U.S. soldier since the Civil War to be executed for desertion as he was shot by an American firing squad in France. Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024 The circular Republican firing squad — with the bullets aimed at everyone besides the guy who led the race — represented a replay of the 2016 primary campaign. Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2024 Alabama is one of several states that are looking at alternatives, including nitrogen hypoxia, and some states have recently authorized the use of a firing squad. Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'firing squad.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of firing squad was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near firing squad

Cite this Entry

“Firing squad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firing%20squad. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

firing squad

noun
fir·​ing squad
ˈfī(ə)r-iŋ-
1
: a military unit assigned to fire shots over the grave of one buried with military honors
2
: a military unit assigned to carry out a sentence of death by shooting

More from Merriam-Webster on firing squad

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