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Gunrunning: meaning, definitions and examples

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gunrunning

 

[ ˈɡʌnˌrʌnɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

criminal activity

Gunrunning refers to the illegal trade of firearms and ammunition. It involves the smuggling or illegal distribution of weapons, often to conflict zones or criminal organizations. This activity is typically associated with organized crime and poses significant risks to public safety.

Synonyms

arms trafficking, firearms trafficking, weapons smuggling

Examples of usage

  • The police arrested several individuals involved in gunrunning.
  • Gunrunning has been linked to various violent crimes in the region.
  • Authorities are cracking down on gunrunning operations across the border.

Translations

Translations of the word "gunrunning" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tráfico de armas

🇮🇳 हथियार तस्करी

🇩🇪 Waffenhandel

🇮🇩 perdagangan senjata

🇺🇦 контрабанда зброї

🇵🇱 handel bronią

🇯🇵 武器密売

🇫🇷 trafic d'armes

🇪🇸 tráfico de armas

🇹🇷 silah kaçakçılığı

🇰🇷 무기 밀매

🇸🇦 تهريب الأسلحة

🇨🇿 obchodování se zbraněmi

🇸🇰 obchodovanie so zbraňami

🇨🇳 枪支走私

🇸🇮 trgovina z orožjem

🇮🇸 vopnasmugglun

🇰🇿 қару контрабандасы

🇬🇪 ჩამოტანილი იარაღი

🇦🇿 silah qaçaqçılığı

🇲🇽 tráfico de armas

Word origin

The term 'gunrunning' is a compound word formed from 'gun', which originates from the Old Norse word 'gunnr', meaning 'war' or 'battle', and 'running', derived from the Old English 'rinnan', meaning 'to run'. The modern usage of 'gunrunning' emerged in the early 20th century, particularly in the context of the proliferation of firearms and the escalation of conflicts, such as during World War I and subsequent wars. As the illegal arms trade grew, so did the need for law enforcement and governments to address the challenges posed by gunrunning. The term is often associated with organized crime and illicit trade networks that profit from the sale of weapons to groups that are often engaged in violence or terrorism. Today, gunrunning remains a significant issue in global security discussions.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,191, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.