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Glite Dictionary
BB shot

BB shot

7.7
A small round metal pellet fired from an air gun
  • noun
  • /ˈbiːˈbiː ʃɑt/
translation icon : balín
  • He fired a BB shot at the target.

Examples

  • He found a BB shot lodged in the wooden fence after target practice.

  • The gun was loaded with BB shot.

  • Always wear eye protection when handling a BB shot and air rifle.

  • The BB shot bounced off the tin can without leaving a mark.

  • Always wear eye protection when handling a BB shot to ensure your safety.

  • He found a BB shot lodged in the wooden fence after target practice in his backyard.

  • The BB shot bounced off the tin can, making a satisfying 'ping' sound.

Synonyms

pellet
vsBB shot
23 4.9

A small metal ball fired from a shotgun

is more specific to metal pellets fired from air rifles
BB
vsBB shot
19 7.8

A small metal pellet fired from an air gun

is the same meaning but appears as a longer two word form
birdshot
vsBB shot
  • Specialized
4 5.7

Small round metal pellets used in shotguns for hunting birds

is used in air rifles rather than in shotgun shells

Surface Forms

BB shot singular
BB shots plural

Morphology

BB + shot

The meaning is directly compositional: 'BB' denotes a small metal pellet and 'shot' denotes a projectile, so 'BB shot' straightforwardly refers to shot made of BBs. This noun–noun compounding follows a common, transparent pattern that a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily understand.

Etymology

The noun BB shot may come from old shotgun pellet sizes called BB, small round pieces of lead used for shooting. Early air rifles used the same tiny pellets, so people began to call them BB shot, which is why today BB shot means a small metal pellet fired from an air rifle or 'BB gun'.