weap‧on S3 W2 /ˈwepən/ noun [countable]
[Language: Old English; Origin: wæpen]

1. something that you use to fight with or attack someone with, such as a knife, bomb, or gun:
They all had sticks which they planned to use as weapons.

2. an action, piece of information, piece of equipment etc that you can use to win or be successful in doing something:
a new weapon in the fight against AIDS
Right now, she felt the need of every weapon in her armoury (=weapon that she had), including surprise.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

weapon
noun
ADJ. deadly, lethal, potent, powerful He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon.
effective, useful | heavy, light The assault forces used heavy weapons, including anti-tank rockets and mortars.
automatic | atomic, biological, chemical, nuclear | offensive, strategic, tactical She pleaded guilty to carrying an offensive weapon. a ban on the use of tactical nuclear weapons
murder | ultimate (often figurative) The workers' ultimate weapon was the strike.
secret (often figurative) The team's secret weapon was their new young defender.
VERB + WEAPON be armed with, carry, have | deploy, fire, use | use sth as (often figurative) She used humour and wit as weapons against her enemies.
aim, point
WEAPON + NOUN system | technology the illegal transfer of weapons technology to hostile countries
PREP. ~ against (often figurative) This relaxation technique can serve as an effective weapon against stress.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

weapon

nuclear/atomic weapons
The country is thought to be developing nuclear weapons.
conventional weapons (=not nuclear)
With conventional weapons, the destruction is not so drastic.
chemical/biological weapons (=weapons that use chemicals such as poisonous gases, or dangerous germs)
Troops may have been exposed to chemical weapons.
an offensive weapon (=one that can be used to attack someone illegally)
He was charged with carrying an offensive weapon.
a lethal/deadly weapon (=one that can kill)
A knife is a lethal weapon.
the murder weapon (=the weapon used to kill someone)
Police found a knife at the scene that is believed to be the murder weapon.
an automatic weapon (=an automatic gun)
He was shot 120 times with automatic weapons.
carry a weapon
The man is believed to be carrying a weapon.
use a weapon
They claim the government used chemical weapons against them.
fire a weapon (=shoot a gun or missile)
Police were told not to fire their weapons.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲