Definition:

This term refers to the inside of a gun's barrel, through which a projectile travels when fired.

In a rifled barrel, a series of lands and grooves impart spin to a projectile traveling through it.

In a smoothbore, there is no rifling, and the bore is simply round, though in the case of a shotgun subtle differences in diameter affect the way shot travels through the bore. Most rifles and handguns have rifled bores, and most shotguns have smooth bores.

There are, of course, exceptions to this rule.

Pronunciation: bor

Common Misspellings: boar

Examples: Always look carefully at a rifle's bore when looking to buy it, and shy away if it looks pitted.