artillery

American  

[ahr-til-uh-ree] / ɑrˈtɪl ə ri /

noun

1. mounted projectile-firing guns or missile launchers, mobile or stationary, light or heavy, as distinguished from small arms.

2. the troops or the branch of an army concerned with the use and service of such weapons.

3. the science that treats of the use of such weapons.

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artillery British  

/ ɑːˈtɪlərɪ /

noun

1. guns, cannon, howitzers, mortars, etc, of calibre greater than 20 mm

2. troops or military units specializing in using such guns

3. the science dealing with the use of guns

4. devices for discharging heavy missiles, such as catapults or slings

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Etymology

Origin of artillery

1350–1400; Middle English artil ( le ) rie, artelry, art ( u ) ry armaments, ballistic engines < Anglo-French, Middle French artillerie, equivalent to Old French artill ( ier ) to equip, arm, alteration, by association with art art ¹, of atill ( i ) er to set in order, put on armor (< Vulgar Latin *apticulāre, derivative of Latin aptāre to put on (armor, ornaments, etc.; adapt ); -i- for expected -ei- perhaps by association with atirier; attire ) + -erie -ery

Example Sentences

But none have conducted as sophisticated an operation as the Colombians, sought after for their expertise in drone and artillery warfare.

From Barron's

Martin Bergerhausen, a recruiter in Hamburg, is currently looking for a project manager with artillery experience to work for a large defense contractor in Munich.

From The Wall Street Journal

The extensive list of procurements ranged from missiles to artillery, torpedoes, armoured vehicles, satellite systems and new uniforms as Berlin races to overhaul the long-neglected Bundeswehr.

From Barron's

Just like he did against Francis Ngannou, he will go in there, measure him up and then go in with the heavy artillery.

From BBC

"There are shortfalls in ammunition, artillery, vehicles, air defence, and people, with limited to no ability to regenerate units or casualties," says Justin Crump, CEO of Sibylline, a private intelligence company.

From BBC

Related Words

• battery
• cannon
• ordnance