gunner

Gunner is a term used for a person who operates or fires a gun, particularly an artillery piece or other heavy weapon. In military contexts, a gunner is a crew member responsible for loading, aiming, and firing the weapon, and for computing and adjusting fire direction and ammunition supply. The word derives from gun + er, an agent noun suffix.

In naval service, the designation Gunner's Mate refers to a rating responsible for operating and maintaining shipboard weapons, handling ammunition, and supervising gun crews during drills and combat. Similar roles exist in other armed forces, where gunners may work with artillery, anti-aircraft systems, or infantry firearms, often as part of a fire-control team.

Gunner is also used as a surname or given name. In popular culture and sports, the term is widely recognized as a nickname for supporters of Arsenal Football Club, whose emblem features a cannon; fans and players are commonly described as Gunners. The word also appears in fiction and video games as character names or class designations for firearm specialists.

As a general term, gunner can refer to any person who handles a gun, or to the role itself within a weapons crew. The term remains common across military, sporting, and cultural contexts.