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.
Despite the danger of unexploded ordnance and the remaining presence of Israeli troops in parts of Lebanon, the pull of home is its own powerful force. Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2024 Poland's military reacted to the attack by scrambling its own airforce within its borders, though there were no reports of Russian ordnance falling on Polish soil. Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 17 Nov. 2024 Germany has a single major munitions disposal facility, and it is occupied with incinerating unexploded ordnance from around the globe, not least, incredibly, Nazi-era explosives still being unearthed from construction sites. Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024 Unexploded ordnance remains a significant safety threat. Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes, 12 Dec. 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 18 Jan. 2025.

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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