shot 1 
(shŏt)
(shŏt)n.
1. The firing or discharge of a weapon, such as a gun.
2. The distance over which something is shot; the range.
3.
a. An attempt to hit a target with a projectile: His shot at the bear missed by inches.
b. An attempt to reach a target with a rocket: a moon shot.
4. Sports & Games
a. An attempt to score into a goal, as in soccer or hockey.
b. The flight or path of a projectile in a game.
c. A sharply hit or driven ball or puck.
d. A stroke in a game, as in golf or billiards: took three shots to get out of the sand trap.
5. A pointed or critical remark.
6. Informal
a. An attempt; a try: took a shot at losing weight.
b. An opportunity: gave him a fair shot at the part in the play.
c. A chance at odds; something to bet on: The horse was a four-to-one shot.
7.
a. A solid projectile designed to be discharged from a firearm or cannon.
b. pl. shot Such projectiles, especially when fired in clusters, considered as a group.
c. pl. shot Tiny lead or steel pellets, especially ones used in a shotgun cartridge.
d. One of these pellets.
8. Sports The heavy metal ball that is put for distance in the shot put.
9. One who shoots in a particular way: a good shot with the rifle and the bow.
10.
a. A charge of explosives used in blasting mine shafts.
b. A detonation of an explosive charge.
11.
a. A photograph taken of a particular subject: got a good shot of that last model.
b. A single continuous recording made with a movie camera.
12.
a. A hypodermic injection.
b. A small amount given or applied at one time: a shot of oxygen.
13.
a. A small amount of liquor, usually between 1 and 1 ½ ounces: got out the vodka and measured two shots into the glass.
b. A small drink: sipped a shot of bourbon; drank a shot of espresso.
c. A small amount of a liquid used as an ingredient in a beverage: prepared a smoothie with a shot of wheatgrass.
14. An amount to be paid, as for drinks; a bill.
15. Nautical A length of chain equal to 15 fathoms (90 feet).
tr.v. shot·ted, shot·ting, shots
Idioms: To load or weight with shot.
like a shot
Very quickly.
shot in the arm Informal
Something that boosts one's spirits.
shot in the dark Informal
1. A guess.
2. An attempt that has little chance of succeeding.
[Middle English, from Old English sceot, scot; see skeud- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]