ordnance

noun

ord·​nance ˈȯrd-nən(t)s How to pronounce ordnance (audio)
1
a
: military supplies including weapons, ammunition, combat vehicles, and maintenance tools and equipment
bombers dropped heavy concentrations of ordnance on every targeted airfieldRon Dick
b
: a service of the army charged with the procuring, distributing, and safekeeping of ordnance
2
: cannon, artillery
Several pieces of ordnance bombarded the entrenched enemy.

Examples of ordnance in a Sentence

The company was outfitted with 50-millimeter ordnance. the army is waiting for the heavy ordnance to be brought in
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 550-pound ordnance had been buried underground at Miyazaki Airport, located along the southwest coast of Japan. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024 The big unexploded ordnance lying under this term is the possibility of another election-eve or post-election case in which the presidential election hangs in the balance. Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 8 Oct. 2024 Patania also recruited members of the Italian navy who often dive in the area to clear underwater ordnance left over from World War II. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2024 Trevor Ball, a former U.S. Army explosive ordnance disposal technician, said that footage released by the IDF showed F-15 fighter aircraft taking off loaded with BLU-109 bombs. NBC News, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ordnance 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ordinaunce, from Anglo-French ordenance disposition, preparation, military provisions — more at ordinance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ordnance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ordnance

Cite this Entry

“Ordnance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordnance. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ordnance

noun
ord·​nance ˈȯrd-nən(t)s How to pronounce ordnance (audio)
1
: military supplies
also : the branch of the army that obtains and gives out military supplies
2

More from Merriam-Webster on ordnance

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