shotgun

IPA: ʃˈɑtgʌn

(firearms) A gun which fires loads typically consisting of small metal balls, called shot, from a cartridge.
(slang) The front passenger seat in a vehicle, next to the driver; so called because the position of the shotgun-armed guard on a horse-drawn stage-coach, wagon train, or gold transport was next to the driver on a forward-mounted bench seat. Can also be used in situations of claiming other resources such as bedrooms.
(US, especially Southern US) A one-story dwelling with no hallways or corridors, with the rooms arranged in a straight line.
(American football) An offensive formation in which the quarterback receives the snap at a distance behind the center, often with a running back set to one or both sides of him.
(attributive, as a modifier) Relating to shotguns, either in a present or past sense.
(attributive, as a modifier) Relating to the threat of force or dubious means.
(attributive, as a modifier) Relating to the use of numerous, diverse or indiscriminate means to achieve a particular result.

(slang, smoking) To inhale from a pipe or other smoking device, followed shortly by an exhalation into someone else’s mouth.
(transitive, informal) To verbally lay claim to (something)
(transitive, baseball) To hit the ball directly back at the pitcher.
(US, slang) To rapidly drink a beverage from a can by making a hole in the bottom of the can, placing the hole above one's mouth, and opening the top.
(US, slang) To send out many (requests, answers to a question, etc), especially in the hope that one obtains a positive result (i.e. reveals useful information, is correct, etc), in the manner of a shotgun firing many balls of shot such that one may hit a target.
(computing, slang) To employ the technique of shotgun debugging.

Examples of "shotgun" in Sentences

He grabbed the shotgun from the closet and headed out to investigate the noise in the yard
The sound of a shotgun blast echoed through the forest, causing all the birds to scatter
She expertly loaded the shotgun, confident in her ability to hit the target dead center
The old man sat on the porch, cleaning his trusty shotgun and reminiscing about the hunting trips of his youth
With a loud click, he cocked the shotgun and aimed it at the intruder, ready to defend his home