recoil

Pronunciation

verb

• IPA ^(key): /rɪˈkɔɪl/

• Audio (UK)

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• Audio (US)

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noun

• IPA ^(key): /ˈriːkɔɪl/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Noun

Singular recoil

Plural recoils

1. (firearms) Recoil is the energy transmitted back to the shooter from a firearm which has fired.

Verb

Plain form recoil

Third-person singular recoils

Past tense recoiled

Past participle recoiled

Present participle recoiling

1. (intransitive) If a person recoils, they pull back in disgust or horror.
2. (firearm) If a gun recoils, it pushes back quickly when fired.