noun
Sten
Sten (noun) means a lightweight British submachine gun developed for World War II, prized for how cheaply and quickly it could be mass-produced. Example: “Resistance fighters were dropped crates of Stens to arm their units.”
noun
1
A lightweight British submachine gun developed for World War II, prized for how cheaply and quickly it could be mass-produced.
"Resistance fighters were dropped crates of Stens to arm their units."
"The Sten was infamous for jamming at the worst possible moment."
How to use Sten
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA cheap, mass-produced British machine gun from World War II.
Memory tip
You will mostly meet this word in history books or war films, not everyday speech.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Stens
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Resistance fighters were dropped crates of _____ to arm their units.
Etymology
The name is an acronym built from the initials of its designers, Reginald Shepherd and Harold Turpin, plus "EN" for the Enfield factory where it was made.
Rhymes for Sten
See all rhymes for Sten →Frequently asked questions
What does “Sten” mean?
The word “Sten” means a lightweight British submachine gun developed for World War II, prized for how cheaply and quickly it could be mass-produced. In plain terms, a cheap, mass-produced British machine gun from World War II.
How do you use “Sten” in a sentence?
Here is “Sten” used in a sentence: “Resistance fighters were dropped crates of Stens to arm their units.”
What part of speech is “Sten”?
“Sten” is a noun.
What is the meaning of Sten?
"Sten" (noun) means a lightweight British submachine gun developed for World War II, prized for how cheaply and quickly it could be mass-produced.
