logistics

lo·gis·tics

noun plural but singular or plural in construction \lō-ˈjis-tiks, lə-\

Definition of LOGISTICS

1

: the aspect of military science dealing with the procurement, maintenance, and transportation of military matériel, facilities, and personnel

2

: the handling of the details of an operation

Origin of LOGISTICS

French logistique art of calculating, logistics, from Greek logistikē art of calculating, from feminine of logistikos of calculation, from logizein to calculate, from logos reason

First Known Use: circa 1861

Other Military Terms

bivouac, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

Rhymes with LOGISTICS

ballistics, ekistics, linguistics, patristics, statistics, stylistics

logistics

   (Concise Encyclopedia)

In military science, all the activities of armed-force units in support of combat units, including transport, supply, communications, and medical aid. The term, first used by Henri Jomini, Alfred Thayer Mahan, and others, was adopted by the U.S. military in World War I and gained currency in other nations in World War II. Its importance grew in the 20th century with the increasing complexity of modern warfare. The ability to mobilize large populations has escalated military demands for supplies and provisions, and sophisticated technology has added to the cost and intricacy of weapons, communications systems, and medical care, creating the need for a vast network of support systems. In World War II, for instance, only about three in 10 U.S. soldiers served in a combat role.