ammunition

noun

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

Synonyms of ammunition

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is a high-purity form of antimony which has defense uses, particularly in primers, ammunition and pyrotechnic compositions. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 The strike on Friday night on the warehouse — an ammunition storage facility according to Ukrainian officials — sparked massive explosions and fires that swept through dozens of nearby homes and buildings. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 At least 37 people have been killed and dozens wounded after a Russian drone attack on an ammunitions warehouse triggered a large fire and multiple explosions that lasted for hours in a residential area near Kyiv. — Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 She can be seen in surveillance footage purchasing a gun and ammunition from a local pawn shop before stopping for gas at a convenience store. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ammunition

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "military supplies," borrowed from Middle French amonition, probably variant of munition, monition munition

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ammunition was in 1607

Rhymes for ammunition

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Browse Nearby Words

ammophilous
ammunition
ammunition scuttle
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Cite this Entry

“Ammunition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ammunition. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ammunition

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