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

The United States has expended millions of dollars’ worth of defensive and offensive ordnance. —The Editors, National Review, 8 May 2025

Children who attend awareness sessions become familiar with the common types and shapes of explosive ordnance and learn to stay away from strange-looking objects. —Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

In this area, Assad forces planted landmines in fields, in buildings, even in rubble, and other unexploded ordnance also lingers. —Lynsey Addario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Unexploded ordnance litters the area, some neighbors warn. —Lauren Frayer, NPR, 15 Apr. 2025

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