silencer

noun

si·​lenc·​er ˈsī-lən(t)-sər How to pronounce silencer (audio)
: one that silences: such as
a
chiefly British : the muffler of an internal combustion engine
b
: a silencing device for small arms

Examples of silencer 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.
He was reportedly armed with an AR-15-style rifle equipped with a silencer. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026 Twin reverse-cone silencers and a polished stainless-steel exhaust system are manufactured in-house. — New Atlas, 29 May 2026 Detectives also recovered a pillow with burn marks and string, which investigators believe may have been used as a makeshift silencer, the report states. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026 According to the federal indictment, the 32-year-old man broke into the car and took a bag containing a rifle and silencer, as well as a satchel of ammunition. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for silencer

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silencer was in 1600

Rhymes for silencer

See All Rhymes for silencer

Browse Nearby Words

silence is golden
silencer
silene
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Silencer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silencer. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

silencer

noun
si·​lenc·​er ˈsī-lən-sər How to pronounce silencer (audio)
: a device used on small arms to reduce the sound of firing

More from Merriam-Webster on silencer

Nglish: Translation of silencer for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about silencer

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!

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’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
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
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All