ordnance
5 synonyms for ordnance, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Military weapons, ammunition, and related equipment, especially heavy artillery.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use ordnance
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
unexploded ordnance
heavy ordnance
Etymology
A shortened form of "ordinance," which originally meant military equipment or provisions before narrowing to mean weapons and artillery specifically.
Full origin of 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.
