light machine gun: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialist terminology)Technical / Military
Quick answer
What does “light machine gun” mean?
A portable machine gun that can be operated and carried by a single soldier, typically firing rifle-caliber ammunition from a belt or magazine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A portable machine gun that can be operated and carried by a single soldier, typically firing rifle-caliber ammunition from a belt or magazine.
A military firearm, heavier than an automatic rifle but lighter than a medium machine gun, designed to be fired from a bipod and used to provide suppressive fire for an infantry squad.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; the term is standard in both military lexicons. Usage conventions are identical.
Connotations
Purely technical military term with no divergent cultural connotations.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to military, historical, and enthusiast contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “light machine gun” in a Sentence
The [unit] was equipped with a light machine gun.The soldier [verb, e.g., manned, deployed] the light machine gun.Fire from the enemy light machine gun [verb, e.g., pinned down, suppressed] the advance.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “light machine gun” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The section was light machine gunned from the fortified position.
- They planned to light-machine-gun the enemy flank.
American English
- The squad was light machine gunned during the assault.
- The unit trained to light-machine-gun defensive positions.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The light-machine-gun fire was intense.
- They faced light-machine-gun positions on the hill.
American English
- The light-machine-gun team provided covering fire.
- He specialized in light-machine-gun tactics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in military history, political science (security studies), and engineering papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare, only in discussions about military matters or video games.
Technical
Core term in military manuals, equipment specifications, and tactical discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “light machine gun”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “light machine gun”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “light machine gun”
- Confusing it with a 'submachine gun' (fires pistol ammunition) or a 'medium/heavy machine gun' (much heavier, often vehicle-mounted).
- Using 'light machine gun' to describe any small automatic weapon.
- Incorrect abbreviation (e.g., 'LMG' is standard, not 'LM Gun').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A light machine gun (LMG) is man-portable, fired from a bipod by a single soldier, and uses rifle-caliber ammunition. A medium machine gun (MMG) is heavier, often requires a crew to operate, may be fired from a tripod for stability, and sometimes uses more powerful ammunition, though it can also be in the same caliber as an LMG but with greater sustained fire capability.
No. An assault rifle is a selective-fire rifle (can switch between semi-automatic and automatic/burst fire) designed for individual soldiers. A light machine gun is an automatic support weapon designed for sustained fire, often with a heavier barrel, larger ammunition capacity (belt or large magazine), and is used to support a squad.
SAW stands for Squad Automatic Weapon. It is a modern category that encompasses light machine guns. All light machine guns used at the squad level can be considered SAWs, but the term SAW emphasizes the tactical role rather than just the technical specifications.
While it is *portable* (can be carried by one soldier), it is generally fired from a stable, stationary position using its integrated bipod for accuracy and controllability during sustained fire. Firing accurately while moving is very difficult due to its weight and recoil.
A portable machine gun that can be operated and carried by a single soldier, typically firing rifle-caliber ammunition from a belt or magazine.
Light machine gun is usually technical / military in register.
Light machine gun: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlaɪt məˈʃiːn ɡʌn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlaɪt məˈʃiːn ɡʌn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms exist for this specific technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LIGHT Machine Gun: Light enough for one soldier to carry, but a Machine Gun that provides heavy firepower.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often conceptualized as a 'team's firepower backbone' or a 'portable base of fire.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a primary characteristic of a light machine gun?