pistolero

noun

pis·​to·​le·​ro ˌpi-stə-ˈler-ō How to pronounce pistolero (audio)
plural pistoleros
: gunman

Examples of pistolero in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
They were used by the Indians and then by the pistoleros during the revolution. — San Antonio Express-News, 18 Oct. 2019 Their ranks include peasants cultivating opium poppies, pistoleros guarding methamphetamine and fentanyl labs, and capos running global contraband networks. — Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from pistola pistol

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pistolero was in 1932

Rhymes for pistolero

See All Rhymes for pistolero

Browse Nearby Words

pistoleer
pistolero
pistolet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pistolero.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pistolero. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

pistolero

noun
pis·​to·​le·​ro ˌpis-tə-ˈler-ō How to pronounce pistolero (audio)
plural pistoleros
: gunman
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All