A gunner is someone who operates a gun, especially on a military vehicle like a tank, helicopter, or ship. In battle, the gunner aims and fires the weapons while other crew members handle navigation, communication, or loading ammunition. On a World War II bomber, for instance, the tail gunner protected the aircraft from enemy fighters attacking from behind.

The word has taken on a second meaning in some schools and workplaces: a gunner is someone who aggressively competes for attention and recognition, often in ways that annoy others. In a classroom, a gunner might raise their hand for every single question, interrupt other students, or try to impress the teacher with unnecessarily complicated responses.