A gun is a weapon that fires bullets or other projectiles through a metal tube using explosive force. When you pull the trigger, gunpowder inside explodes in a controlled way, sending a bullet flying out of the barrel at very high speed.

Guns come in many types. Pistols are small enough to hold in one hand. Rifles have long barrels and are held against the shoulder. Shotguns fire many small pellets at once instead of a single bullet. Throughout history, guns changed warfare, hunting, and daily life.

Today, guns are controversial. Some people believe guns are important for hunting or sport shooting. Others worry about gun violence and accidents. Most countries have laws about who can own guns and where they can be carried.

As a verb, to gun something means to speed up or push it forward quickly, especially by pressing hard on an engine’s accelerator.