noun Uncommon

ordnance

AWD-nuhns

Ordnance (noun) means military weapons, ammunition, and related equipment, especially heavy artillery. Example: “The base stores its ordnance in a secure, reinforced bunker.”

noun

Military weapons, ammunition, and related equipment, especially heavy artillery.

"The base stores its ordnance in a secure, reinforced bunker."

"Unexploded ordnance from the war still turns up in the fields."

How to Use Ordnance

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMilitary weapons and ammunition, particularly heavy guns and explosives.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "ordinance," a law or regulation passed by a local authority — the two words split from the same origin but now mean very different things.

Easily confused with

ordinance

Common pairings

unexploded ordnance heavy ordnance

Word Forms

ordnances plural

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Fill the Gap

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The base stores its _____ in a secure, reinforced bunker.

Etymology

A shortened form of "ordinance," which originally meant military equipment or provisions before narrowing to mean weapons and artillery specifically.

Rhymes for ordnance

lance dance Nance rance Vance chance nuance trance stance glance prance fiance

See all rhymes for ordnance →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “ordnance” mean?

The word “ordnance” means military weapons, ammunition, and related equipment, especially heavy artillery. In plain terms, military weapons and ammunition, particularly heavy guns and explosives.

How do you pronounce “ordnance”?

“Ordnance” is pronounced AWD-nuhns (/ˈoɹdnəns/ in IPA).

How do you use “ordnance” in a sentence?

Here is “ordnance” used in a sentence: “The base stores its ordnance in a secure, reinforced bunker.”

What part of speech is “ordnance”?

“Ordnance” is a noun.

Is “ordnance” a common word?

“Ordnance” is an uncommon word in modern English.