1the firing of a gun or cannon:Mulder killed him with a single shot figurativethey have fired the opening shot in what’s expected to be a savage price war
an attempt to hit a target by shooting:he asked me if I would like to have a shot at a pheasant
[with adjective] a person with a specified level of ability in shooting:Roy was a very good shot
a critical or hostile remark:Paul tried one last shot—‘You realize what you want will cost more money?’
2a hit, stroke, or kick of the ball in sports such as football, tennis, or golf:his partner pulled off a winning backhand shot
an attempt to score a goal:he took a shot that the goalie stopped
informal an attempt to do something:several of the competitors will have a shot at the all-round title
3 (plural same) a ball of stone or metal used as a missile shot from a large gun or cannon.
(also lead shot) [mass noun] tiny lead pellets used in quantity in a single charge or cartridge in a shotgun:metal fragments and lead shot were sent in all directions
a heavy ball thrown by a shot-putter.
4a photograph:a group shot of all the family
a film sequence photographed continuously by one camera:the movie’s opening shot is of a character walking across a featureless landscape
[mass noun] the range of a camera’s view:a prop man was standing just out of shot
5a small drink of spirits:he took a shot of whisky
a single serving of espresso coffee:steamed milk with a shot of espresso
an injection of a drug or vaccine:a shot of impure heroin
6 [usually with modifier] the launch of a space rocket:a moon shot
give it one's best shot
informal do the best that one can:it’s not easy, but I’m going to give it my best shot
like a shot
informal without hesitation; willingly:‘Would you go back?’ ‘Like a shot.’
