1
: large guns that are used to shoot over a great distance
The troops were being bombarded by artillery.
—often used before another nounThe troops were under heavy artillery fire.
artillery shells
—often used figurativelyHis first argument didn't work, so he brought out the heavy artillery. [=he started using a different and more powerful argument]
2
: the part of an army that uses large guns to shoot over a great distance
a captain in the artillery
—often used before another nounartillery units
Cite this Entry
“Artillery.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/artillery. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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