ammo
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of ammo
Explanation
Ammo is a shorthand way to say "ammunition," meaning bullets, gunpowder, and other combat supplies. A war movie might include a scene of soldiers running low on ammo. Ammo generally refers to a supply of the actual munitions, or exploding substances and projectiles that are put in guns, cannons, and other weapons. A gun without ammo won't actually shoot. This colloquial form of ammunition was first used around 1917, and both are rooted in the Middle French phrase la munition, "fortification" or "defense."
Vocabulary lists containing ammo
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Horman Brown describes it as potential "ammo" in a relationship.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026
Think of it as ammo to advance in your career, which—let’s face it—is not so different from winning a popularity contest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 29, 2026
“Predator” is prime Reagan-era action propaganda, closely associating male potency with guns and their firepower, daring to counter that gospel by reminding its audience of how soft humans are once the ammo runs out.
From Salon ● Nov. 12, 2025
Authorities said he would then drive the guns and ammo from Texas to California.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 3, 2024
Nick dialed M in his credit box and informed Joe that as soon as he paid up the ninety-six dollars he owed for groceries, he could have the ammo on credit.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
