gunnery

[ guhn-uh-ree ]

noun

1. the art and science of constructing and operating guns, gun, especially large guns. gun.
2. the act of firing guns. gun.
3. guns gun collectively.

gunnery

/ ˈɡʌnərɪ /

noun

1. the art and science of the efficient design and use of ordnance, esp artillery
2. guns collectively
3. the use and firing of guns
4. modifier of, relating to, or concerned with heavy guns, as in warfare

   a gunnery officer

Word History and Origins

Origin of gunnery¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; gun ¹ + -ery

Example Sentences

He explained, “The Mongol on the ridge can put an arrow in a bird’s eye. He must be learning Chinese gunnery as a way to expand his business.”

From Literature

Mr Verge was a gunnery officer based in Portsmouth in 1953 and helped train the sailors who took part in the ceremony.

From BBC

The two AH-64 Apache helicopters were returning to Fort Wainwright from an aerial gunnery range southeast of Fairbanks when they collided.

From Seattle Times

Any Marine gunnery sergeant in a movie — and no doubt some in the real world too — operates in the shadow of R. Lee Ermey in “Full Metal Jacket.”

From New York Times

In so doing, Mr Carter overrode a request by the Marine Corps to exempt women from certain roles, including in infantry and machine gunnery.

From BBC

Related Words

• battery
• cannon
• ordnance