armory

noun

ar·​mory ˈärm-rē 

ˈär-mə-

plural armories

1

a

: a supply of arms for defense or attack

b

: a collection of available resources

2

: a place where arms and military equipment are stored

especially : one used for training reserve military personnel

3

: a place where arms are manufactured

Did you know?

An armory has traditionally been a military storage compound where machine guns, rifles, pistols, ammunition, parts, and accessories are kept. In the U.S., National Guard and Reserve units often use armories as training headquarters in peacetime. Ever since George Washington established the country's first armory in Springfield in 1777, arsenals and armories of the Army Ordnance Corps have had a remarkable history of arms manufacture.

Synonyms of armory

• warehouse
• depot
• arsenal

Examples of armory in a Sentence

the site of a 19th-century armory

the soldier was sent to the armory to get a replacement weapon for the one that had been stolen

Recent Examples on the Web

Zeughauskeller, set inside a former armory, is another classic spot that serves Swiss staples like rösti. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026

Now, officers can enjoy the convenience of the new headquarters’ training facilities, including an armory and a 50-yard gun range with shooting targets that can move around and enough space to bring in cars to train for different scenarios. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

Nestled in the oldest armory in Maryland is a set of Civil War-era photographs vexing a small team of military historians. — Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026

Their armory is formidable; their cash supply, a source of comic relief. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English armerie, armurie, armorye "armor and weapons, storehouse for weaponry, workshop in which weapons are made or repaired," borrowed from Anglo-French armurrie, from armure "arms, armor" + -ie -y entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for armory

• armoury
• gendarmerie

Kids Definition

armory

noun

ar·​mory ˈärm-(ə-)rē 

plural armories

1

: a supply of weapons

2

: a place where arms are kept and where soldiers are often trained

3

: a place where arms are made