verb \ˈshüt\

Definition of shoot


play \ˈshät\;


  1. transitive verb
  2. 1a (1) :  to eject or impel or cause to be ejected or impelled by a sudden release of tension (as of a bowstring or slingshot or by a flick of a finger) shoot an arrow shoot a spitball shoot a marble (2) :  to drive forth or cause to be driven forth by an explosion (as of a powder charge in a firearm or of ignited fuel in a rocket) (3) :  to drive forth or cause to be driven forth by a sudden release of gas or air shoot darts from a blowgun a steam catapult shoots planes from a carrier (4) :  to propel (as a ball or puck) toward a goal by striking or pushing with part of the body (as the hand or foot) or with an implement; also :  to score by so doing shoot the winning goal shoot a basket (5) :  to throw or cast off or out often with force shoot dice the horse shot his rider out of the saddleb :  to cause (as a gun or bow) to propel a missilec (1) :  to utter (as words or sounds) rapidly or suddenly or with force shoot out a stream of invective (2) :  to emit (as light, flame, or fumes) suddenly and rapidly (3) :  to send forth with suddenness or intensity shot a look of anger at themd :  to discharge, dump, or empty especially by overturning, upending, or directing into a slide

  3. 2 :  to affect by shooting: such asa :  to strike with a missile especially from a bow or gun; especially :  to wound or kill with a missile discharged from a bow or firearmb :  to remove or destroy by use of firearms shot out the light; also :  wreck, explode

  4. 3a :  to push or slide (as the bolt of a door or lock) into or out of a fasteningb :  to push or thrust forward :  stick out toads shooting out their tonguesc :  to put forth in growingd :  to place, send, or bring into position abruptly

  5. 4a (1) :  to engage in (a sport or game or a portion of a game that involves shooting) :  play shoot pool shoot a round of golf shoot craps (2) :  to achieve (a particular score) in a game that involves shooting shoot 80 in golfb (1) :  to place or offer (a bet) on the result of casting dice shoot $5 (2) :  to use up by or as if by betting :  exhaust shot his annual bonus on a shady deal

  6. 5a :  to engage in the hunting and killing of (as game) with firearms especially as a sport shoot woodcockb :  to hunt over shoot a tract of woodland

  7. 6a :  to cause to move suddenly or swiftly forward shot the car onto the highwayb :  to send or carry quickly :  dispatch shoot the letter on to me as soon as you receive it

  8. 7 :  to variegate as if by sprinkling color in streaks, flecks, or patches

  9. 8 :  to pass swiftly by, past, or along shooting rapids

  10. 9 :  to plane (as the edge of a board) straight or true

  11. 10a :  set off, detonate, ignite shoot a charge of dynamiteb :  to effect by blasting

  12. 11 :  to determine the altitude of

  13. 12 :  to take a picture or series of pictures or television images of :  photograph, film

  14. 13a :  to give an injection tob :  to inject (an illicit drug) especially into the bloodstream

  15. intransitive verb
  16. 1a :  to go or pass rapidly and precipitately sparks shooting all over his feet shot out from under himb :  to move ahead by force of momentumc :  to stream out suddenly :  spurtd :  to dart in or as if in rays from a source of lighte :  to dart with a piercing sensation pain shot up my arm

  17. 2a :  to cause an engine or weapon to discharge a missileb :  to use a firearm or bow especially for sport (as in hunting)

  18. 3 :  to propel a missile guns that shoot many miles

  19. 4 :  protrude, project

  20. 5a :  to grow or sprout by or as if by putting forth shootsb :  develop, maturec :  to spring or rise rapidly or suddenly —often used with up in a burst of growth he shot up to six feet tall prices shot up

  21. 6a :  to propel an object (as a ball) in a particular wayb :  to drive the ball or puck toward a goal

  22. 7 :  to cast dice

  23. 8 :  to slide into or out of a fastening a bolt that shoots in either direction

  24. 9 :  to record something (as on film or videotape) with a camera

  25. 10 :  to begin to speak —usually used as an imperative OK, shoot, what do you have to say

shoot at


shoot for

  1. :  to aim at :  strive for

shoot from the hip

  1. :  to act or speak hastily without consideration of the consequences

shoot one's bolt

  1. :  to exhaust one's capabilities and resources

shoot one's cuffs

  1. :  to tug one's shirt cuffs below those of one's coat

shoot oneself in the foot

  1. :  to act against one's own best interests

shoot the breeze

  1. :  to converse idly :  gossip

shoot the shit


  1. :  to shoot the breeze

shoot the works

  1. 1 :  to venture all one's capital on one play

  2. 2 :  to put forth all one's efforts

Examples of shoot in a sentence

  1. Does this gun shoot accurately?

  2. He shot at the deer.

  3. The enemy was shooting at the rescue helicopter.

  4. She shot the arrow into the air.

  5. I tried shooting a gun for the first time.

  6. He shot a spitball into the girl's hair.

  7. a stunt in which she was shot from a cannon

  8. He shot two deer this hunting season.

  9. The police shot the suspect in the leg.

  10. She accidentally shot herself in the foot.

Origin and Etymology of shoot


First Known Use: before 12th century




Definition of shoot

  1. 1 :  a sending out of new growth or the growth sent out: such asa :  a stem or branch with its leaves and appendages especially when not yet matureb :  offshoot

  2. 2a :  an act of shooting (as with a bow or a firearm): (1) :  shot (2) :  the firing of a missile especially by artilleryb (1) :  a hunting trip or party (2) :  the right to shoot game in a particular area or land over which it is heldc (1) :  a shooting match skeet shoot (2) :  a round of shots in a shooting matchd :  the action or an instance of shooting with a camera :  a session or a series of sessions of photographing or filming a movie shoot

  3. 3a :  a motion or movement of rapid thrusting: such as (1) :  a sudden or rapid advance (2) :  a momentary darting sensation :  twinge (3) :  thrust 2b (4) :  the pace between strokes in rowingb :  a bar of rays :  beam a shoot of sunlight

  4. 4 [probably by folk etymology from French chute — more at chute] a :  a rush of water down a steep or rapidb :  a place where a stream runs or descends swiftly

Examples of shoot in a sentence


  2. She is currently on a movie shoot in London.

Origin and Etymology of shoot


First Known Use: 15th century

Other Pictures (on film) Terms




Definition of shoot

  1. —used to express annoyance or surprise

Origin and Etymology of shoot

euphemism for shit

First Known Use: 1876

SHOOT Defined for English Language Learners




Definition of shoot for English Language Learners

  • : the part of a new plant that is just beginning to grow above the ground

  • : a new branch and its leaves on an established plant

  • : an occasion when a movie, television show, etc., is being filmed




Definition of shoot for English Language Learners

  • —used to show that you are annoyed or surprised

SHOOT Defined for Kids



verb \ˈshüt\

Definition of shoot for Students




  1. 1 :  to let fly or cause to be driven forward with force He shot an arrow into the air.

  2. 2 :  to cause a projectile (as a bullet) to be driven out of The guard shot a gun.

  3. 3 :  to cause a weapon to discharge a projectile Aim and shoot.

  4. 4 :  to strike with a projectile from a bow or gun He shot a deer.

  5. 5 :  to hit, throw, or kick (as a ball or puck) toward or into a goal

  6. 6 :  to score by shooting The player shot a basket.

  7. 7 :  1play 2 Let's shoot some pool.

  8. 8 :  to thrust forward swiftly Lizards shot out their tongues.

  9. 9 :  to grow rapidly The corn is shooting up.

  10. 10 :  to go, move, or pass rapidly They shot past on skis.

  11. 11 :  to direct at quickly and suddenly I shot them an angry look.

  12. 12 :  to stream out suddenly :  spurt Blood was shooting from the wound.

  13. 13 :  to film or photograph The movie was shot in Australia.

  14. 14 :  to pass swiftly along or through We shot the rapids in a canoe.






Definition of shoot for Students

  1. 1 :  a stem or branch of a plant especially when young or just beginning to grow

  2. 2 :  a hunting party or trip a duck shoot

Medical Dictionary


transitive verb \ˈshüt\

Medical Definition of shoot


\ˈshät\play ;


  1. 1:  to give an injection to

  2. 2:  to take or administer (as a drug) by hypodermic needle

Seen and Heard



holding stubbornly to a belief or view

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