cap gun: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Modern cap guns are designed to be very safe toys, producing only a loud sound and a small puff of smoke. However, they should be used under supervision as the caps contain a tiny explosive charge and can be a fire risk if misused.

Caps are typically small, circular paper discs arranged in a roll or a ring. Each disc contains a minuscule amount of a shock-sensitive explosive compound, often potassium perchlorate.

Yes, though they are less common than in past decades due to stricter toy safety regulations and shifting societal attitudes. They are still available from some toy manufacturers and specialty or nostalgic toy shops.

A cap gun is purely a noisemaker, using explosive caps to simulate gunfire. A BB gun is an air gun that fires small metal or plastic projectiles (BBs) and can cause injury, requiring much more caution and often being regulated differently.

A toy gun designed to be loaded with small paper discs containing a minute amount of explosive powder, which produces a loud popping sound when struck by the gun's hammer.

Cap gun is usually informal in register.

Cap gun: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæp ˌɡʌn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæp ˌɡʌn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.