ordnance

[ awrd-nuhns ]

noun

1. cannon or artillery.
2. military weapons with their equipment, ammunition, etc.
3. the branch of an army that procures, stores, and issues, weapons, munitions, and combat vehicles and maintains arsenals for their development and testing.

ordnance

/ ˈɔːdnəns /

noun

1. cannon or artillery
2. military supplies; munitions
3. the ordnance
   a department of an army or government dealing with military supplies

Word History and Origins

Origin of ordnance¹

First recorded in 1620–30; syncopated variant of ordinance

Word History and Origins

Origin of ordnance¹

C14: variant of ordinance

Example Sentences

Soldiers handed out leaflets telling people to not touch unexploded ordnance.

From BBC

A former explosive ordnance specialist who was awarded a Bronze Star during Operation Enduring Freedom, he had developed into a quiet but effective leader.

From Los Angeles Times

He had gone out to help with construction work in their village when he stepped on some discarded ordnance.

From BBC

Landmines and unexploded ordnances left behind from previous conflicts are also an issue.

From BBC

Mr McCulloch works with humanitarian organisation Norwegian People's Aid and is currently working to clear unexploded ordnance in Iraq.

From BBC

Related Words

• munitions