muzzle velocity

noun

The velocity of a discharged projectile at the muzzle of a firearm.

Meanings

nounmuzzle velocity (plural muzzle velocities)

plural muzzle velocities

  1. engineeringThe velocity of a discharged projectile at the muzzle of a firearm.
    2 more examples

    The decision about ammunition turned on the detailed specifications, known as the “technical data package,” that the Army drew up when it converted the rifle into the M-16. The data package included the requirements that the muzzle velocity of the rifle must average 3,250 feet per second (fps), plus or minus 40, and that the pressure within the firing chamber must not exceed 52,000 pounds per square inch.

    1981 June, James Fallows, “M-16: A Bureaucratic Horror Story”, in The Atlantic, →ISSN

    Perhaps stunned by what Steve Bannon, the MAGA strategist, calls the “muzzle velocity” of action and orders, Democrats have had a difficult time addressing the disconnect between what Mr. Trump talks about and what they see as workers get fired, tariffs put upward pressure on prices and hold times for tax assistance stretch into hours.

    2025 March 5, David E. Sanger, quoting Steve Bannon, “Trump Celebrates His Disruption but Slides Over Its Costs”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

Translations

Finnish lähtönopeus
  • lähtönopeusvelocity of projectile
German Mündungsgeschwindigkeit
  • Mündungsgeschwindigkeitvelocity of projectile
Swedish utgångshastighet
  • utgångshastighetvelocity of projectile
Cite this entry
APA

muzzle velocity. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/muzzle%20velocity

MLA

“muzzle velocity.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/muzzle%20velocity. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “muzzle velocity,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/muzzle%20velocity.

Source: muzzle velocity on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.