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

In 2023, ships plying the Caspian carried more than 300,000 artillery shells and a million rounds of ammunition from Iran to Russia, according to documents viewed by the Journal at the time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

During the first weeks of Russia’s Starlink outage, Ukraine was able to push the Russians back from the outskirts of Zaporizhzhia, the regional capital, sparing the city from assaults from most artillery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

"It appears that there is controversy recently ⁠over US forces in Korea shipping some weapons, such as artillery batteries and air defence weapons, out of the country," he said in a cabinet meeting.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

"The world is changing rapidly, and Rheinmetall is well prepared," said CEO Armin Papperger, whose firm makes products ranging from ammunition to artillery and military vehicles.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Up ahead, the plesiosaur riders were probably readying their artillery, or simply loading their muskets to enfilade them as soon as they were in range.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older

Related Words

• battery
• cannon
• ordnance