ordnance

noun

ord·​nance ˈȯrd-nən(t)s How to pronounce ordnance (audio)
1
a
: military supplies including weapons, ammunition, combat vehicles, and maintenance tools and equipment
bombers dropped heavy concentrations of ordnance on every targeted airfieldRon 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.

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 Your boyfriend wasn’t afraid to approach his mom, where the parent to beware is one who must be handled like unexploded ordnance. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 When such unexploded ordnances are found, they are typically detonated on site. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 Classes have moved into basements, playgrounds are littered with landmines and unexploded ordnance. Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Authorities and aid groups have voiced concern about the spread of waterborne diseases and shifting of explosive ordnance from Libya’s recent conflicts. Samy Magdy and Yousef Mourad, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023 There are a lot of traumatic injuries, and, while there may not be a lot of new trauma—although there may be some because of unexploded ordnance—there are going to be traumatic injuries of people that are infected, and who will die. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2024 Authorities with the Sheriff's Office identified the bomb as a M-65 ordnance. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2024 The ordnance, which washed up in the small beach town of Pajaro Dunes, was deemed inert by the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office bomb team. Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 3 Jan. 2024 Bomb team technicians discovered an ordnance item that is believed to be a practice bomb. USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ordnance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ordnance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ordnance

Cite this Entry

“Ordnance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ordnance. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ordnance

noun
ord·​nance ˈȯrd-nən(t)s How to pronounce ordnance (audio)
1
: military supplies
also : the branch of the army that obtains and gives out military supplies
2

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