In Vietnam, vocabulary in general and scientific terms in particular have been attracting much attention from researchers in order to learn about semantics of words in different fields. With the aim of having a better understanding of ways of naming weapons and semantics of weapon terms in English, this study will investigate nominative features which are employed to name weapons. The investigation shows that there are 20 distinctive nominative features used to name 907 weapon terms. Among them, the feature purpose/function is most employed with the frequency of 346 out of 907 terms (accounting for 38.14%), even much more frequently than the second most frequently used feature, component (133 out of 907, accounting for 14.66%). Whereas sound, state, quantity, time and color are features used just once. The results show that there are a number of ways to name weapons in English and that there is a tendency to make use of the features purpose/function, component, manoeuvrability, manner and assignment/equipment to give specific names to weapons. And it can be referred that they are the most helpful characteristics needed expressing in names of weapons or inventing for weapons. In addition, nominative features are usually minor elements preceding main ones in weapon terms’ structures and making a difference to other terms.

nomination, nominative feature, term, weapon, weapon term