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

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

But he cautioned about the risk of some bombs or missiles going off target and hitting the ruins, even unintentionally: "If you drop enough ordnance, not all of that lands within 25 metres of the target."

From BBC

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

To do so, it has used bunker-buster missiles and heavy ordnance that has obliterated residential compounds and buildings.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• munitions