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

Hundreds of thousands have returned to their homes during the ceasefire, though many found only rubble, human remains and unexploded ordnance. —Jalal Bwaitel, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025

For all of the talk about fraying global alliances and the challenge governments have handling crises competently and well, protecting the Earth from incoming ordnance is one area in which political leaders, scientific minds, and public policy makers have their act together. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025

So far, only a third of the children's park in Wooler has been cleared as officials continue excavations to ensure no more ordnance is hidden underneath. —Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2025

Except this time William Campbell is Germany, and the burlesque show is unexploded ordnance. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. —Jim Clash, Forbes, 18 Jan. 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