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 of ordnance

• guns
• weapons

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 drones can easily carry about 3 pounds of ordnance, notably C4 explosives, at speeds upward of 100 mph. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026

And the extensive dropping of ordnance and debris left a widespread trail of toxic dust and hazardous chemicals. —Josiane Yazbeck, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026

When the program was scaled back, the ordnance ballooned from $50,000 to more than $800,000 per round! —Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

With a target at 1,700 yards, that bullet has a maximum ordnance of about 66 feet above the ground. —John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 15 Jan. 2026

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