ordnance

noun

ord·​nance ˈȯrd-nən(t)s 

1

a

: military supplies including weapons, ammunition, combat vehicles, and maintenance tools and equipment

bombers dropped heavy concentrations of ordnance on every targeted airfield

—Ron 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.

Synonyms

• artillery
• guns

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

Unexploded ordnance remains a significant safety threat. —Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Following the incident, the Lebanese Army announced plans to detonate unexploded ordnance in the Aaraya area of Mount Lebanon. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

The bomber, which has a range of 8,800 miles and a 70,000-pound payload, can carry nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance, including bombs, mines and missiles. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024

Just this year, Parsons appeared in upbeat articles on a rail safety project in Oakland, Calif.; a contract with the Air Force related to vehicles that collect unexploded ordnance; and software for communication and coordination on the battlefield for the Department of Defense, among others. —Heather Newman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

ordnance

noun

ord·​nance ˈȯrd-nən(t)s 

1

: military supplies

also : the branch of the army that obtains and gives out military supplies

2

: artillery sense 1