ammunition

noun

am·​mu·​ni·​tion ˌam-yə-ˈni-shən How to pronounce ammunition (audio)
1
a
: the projectiles with their fuses, propelling charges, or primers fired from guns
c
: explosive military items (such as grenades or bombs)
2
: material for use in attacking or defending a position
ammunition for the defense lawyers

Examples of ammunition in a Sentence

The troops were supplied with weapons and ammunition. be certain that all of your accusations are true, lest you just give them ammunition to claim that all of them are false
Recent Examples on the Web Authorities also found firearms and ammunition that were used at a makeshift shooting range on the property in addition to training documents. USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 The trial had been animated by rounds of ammunition in plastic bags, photos of hundreds of more rounds and detailed demonstrations of how to operate the gun at the center of the shooting, a Pietta replica of an 1873 revolver. Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Gutierrez-Reed's attorneys also asserted that investigators did not sufficiently look into the ammunition supplier in Albuquerque. EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 Authorities in Stanislaus County arrested four men and seized drugs, a stockpile of firearms and ammunition and material to make bombs as part of a months-long investigation into outlaw motorcycle clubs in the region, law enforcement officials announced last week. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Live ammunition is expressly prohibited on movie sets by the industry and union guidelines. CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024 Military analysts estimated that, without more American arms and ammunition, Ukraine would start to succumb to Russia’s attacks by the summer. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 The debate over Ukraine aid comes as a $60 billion U.S. assistance package is stalled in Congress, causing weapons and ammunition shortages on the front lines. Kate Brady, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 The defense has blamed Seth Kenney, who supplied guns and ammunition to the production, for mixing live rounds with similar-looking dummy rounds. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ammunition.' 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

obsolete French amunition, from Middle French, alteration of munition

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ammunition was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near ammunition

Cite this Entry

“Ammunition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ammunition. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ammunition

noun
am·​mu·​ni·​tion ˌam-yə-ˈnish-ən How to pronounce ammunition (audio)
1
a
: objects (as bullets) fired from guns
b
: explosive objects (as bombs) used in war
2
: material that may be used in attacking or defending a position
results of the study provided more ammunition

More from Merriam-Webster on ammunition

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