noun
phaser
FAYZ
Phaser (noun) means a fictional energy-beam weapon, especially the one used in the Star Trek science-fiction series. Example: “The captain ordered the crew to set phasers to stun.”
noun
1
A fictional energy-beam weapon, especially the one used in the Star Trek science-fiction series.
"Captain James Kirk: "Set your phaser on one quarter. I'll leave mine on stun.""
— George Clayton Johnson, The Man Trap (Star Trek) (1966)
"A Bajoran rushed past with an armful of phaser rifles, another with a box of hand phasers."
— Dafydd ab Hugh (1999)
"The captain ordered the crew to set phasers to stun."
verb
1
To shoot someone or something with a phaser.
"In the episode, the away team gets phasered by hostile aliens."
How to use phaser
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA made-up laser-type gun from science fiction, most famously in Star Trek.
Common pairings
set phasers to stun
fire a phaser
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- phasers
- Past tense
- phasered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The captain ordered the crew to set _____ to stun.
Etymology
Coined for the Star Trek TV series as a blend suggesting a "phased energy rectifier"; it was later popularized as shorthand for any futuristic ray-gun weapon.
Rhymes for phaser
See all rhymes for phaser →Frequently asked questions
What does “phaser” mean?
The word “phaser” means a fictional energy-beam weapon, especially the one used in the Star Trek science-fiction series. In plain terms, a made-up laser-type gun from science fiction, most famously in Star Trek.
How do you pronounce “phaser”?
“Phaser” is pronounced FAYZ (/ˈfeɪzɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “phaser” in a sentence?
Here is “phaser” used in a sentence: “The captain ordered the crew to set phasers to stun.”
What part of speech is “phaser”?
Depending on how it is used, “phaser” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “phaser” have?
“Phaser” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fictional energy-beam weapon, especially the one used in the Star Trek science-fiction series.
