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

• 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

The big serve and punch might work on a good night, but the rallies test out all the armory. —Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

With the money, Wen was able to pay for an armory and a federal firearm license for $150,000 and listed his partner's name as the business owner to register with the Texas secretary of state. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025

The Army said on Thursday that Guard members' weapons would remain in the armory to use if needed. —Brian Mann, NPR, 17 Aug. 2025

The armory, built in 1931 and expanded in 1936, is situated in a specific zone that has certain requirements for any development within it. —Amaia Gavica, Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2025

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