noun
starting pistol; starter pistol
A blank-firing pistol used to signal the start of a race. The Japanese synonym 号砲 is also common.
See also: 号砲
審判がスターターピストルを鳴らすと、選手たちは一斉に走り出した。
When the referee fired the starting pistol, the athletes all started running at once.
Variant with interpunct, also seen in some contexts.
A native Japanese term for a starting signal gun, often used in formal race contexts. スターターピストル is the direct loanword equivalent.
Loanword from English 'starter pistol'.