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
1
Military weapons, ammunition, and related equipment, especially heavy artillery.
"What Mr. Vance’s trip made clear is that both sides think they emerged as the victor of the first round: the United States by dropping so much ordnance on Iran, the Iranians by surviving. Neither seems in the mood for compromise."
— Tyler Pager, What Now? Vance Leaves Iran Talks Without a Deal (2026)
"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 notesIn 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
Common pairings
unexploded ordnance
heavy ordnance
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Word forms
- Plural
- ordnances
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ordnance
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.
