Definition & Meaning of "one-shot"in English

What does "to one-shot" mean in online gaming slang?

It is used to describe killing an opponent instantly with a single hit or attack, often with a powerful weapon, a critical strike, or an ability that bypasses normal damage limits. Players typically celebrate a one-shot as a highlight moment or complain about it as unbalanced when the move feels unfair or unavoidable. The term originated in role playing games and shooters during the 1990s, where certain weapons or spells were strong enough to reduce an enemy's health from full to zero in one blow.