A shotgun is a type of gun that fires multiple projectiles at once, often used for hunting.
When someone says "shotgun" in a car, they usually mean they get to sit in the front passenger seat on the side closest to the driver. This tradition comes from the idea that if you call out "shotgun," you're claiming the best spot in the car with a good view of what's happening outside. If no one calls it first and someone just gets into the front seat, they might say something like "you're shotgunning!" to remind them they didn't get there first.
A gun which fires loads typically consisting of small metal balls, called shot, from a cartridge.
Example: Meat was cooked up within hours after the hunter killed the deer with his shotgun.
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.
Example: I call shotgun! (I claim the right to sit in the passenger seat.)
A one-story dwelling with no hallways or corridors, with the rooms arranged in a straight line.
Example: Elvis Presley was born in a two-bedroom shotgun in Tupelo, Mississippi.
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.
(as a modifier) Relating to shotguns, either in a present or past sense: e.g. shotgun cartridges, shotgun seat.
(as a modifier) Relating to the threat of force or dubious means: e.g. shotgun wedding, shotgun diplomacy.
(as a modifier) Relating to the use of numerous, diverse or indiscriminate means to achieve a particular result: e.g. shotgun marketing, a shotgun approach.
scattergundeath seat
(smoking) To inhale from a pipe or other smoking device, followed shortly by an exhalation into someone else’s mouth.
To verbally lay claim to (something)
Example: I got a day off because I shotgunned it.
To hit the ball directly back at the pitcher.
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.
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.
To employ the technique of shotgun debugging.
