What does weapon mean?
A weapon is an object, device, or method used to cause harm, threaten an opponent, or secure an advantage. Its literal referents range from swords, firearms, and missiles to chemical and biological agents, while the word is also frequently extended to strategies, arguments, skills, and forms of information. For example, access to evidence may be described as a legal weapon, and a newspaper may portray an investigation as a weapon against corruption. Such figurative uses do not necessarily imply actual violence; they suggest leverage, force, or an ability to challenge or defeat someone else. The plural “weapons” is the usual form for multiple weapons, including weapons considered as a category. As a verb, “weapon” is less common and means to arm, equip, or use something as a weapon, though modern usage often has a rhetorical or political character. Overall, the term occupies both a concrete military domain and a broad metaphorical domain concerned with power and confrontation.
An object, device, or means used to inflict harm, threaten, or gain an advantage in conflict or competition.
"The weapon had been designed to penetrate lightweight armor at long range."
The word also commonly refers to a strategic or rhetorical means of exerting pressure or gaining leverage.
To arm or equip with weapons, or more broadly to use or develop something as a weapon.
"The campaign sought to weaponize public fear for political advantage."
This use is relatively uncommon and often occurs in political, military, or rhetorical contexts.
The regular plural is formed by adding -s. The plural is also used collectively for weapons considered as a class or type of equipment.
"The museum displays weapons recovered from the medieval shipwreck."
The word behind "weapon of choice" is older than English: Old English called it wæpen, a name inherited from a much older Germanic root.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of weapon
English inherited the word from Old English wæpen, which was derived from the Germanic root represented by Proto-Germanic *wapną. That root was preserved in related words including Old Norse vápn, Dutch wapen, and German Waffe. Over time, the English word continued to denote an implement of conflict while also acquiring the broader figurative sense of a means of gaining leverage or defeating an opponent.
Related word forms
How weapon is actually used
The noun is broadly neutral in historical and technical contexts but often carries violent or threatening associations in everyday use. Figurative uses are common in politics, law, diplomacy, and criticism. The verb is comparatively rare and often has a rhetorical or political tone.
Easily confused with weapon
"Weapon" is pronounced /ˈwɛpən/, whereas "whip" is pronounced /wɪp/.