gunnery

[guhn-uh-ree]

noun

1. the art and science of constructing and operating guns, gun, especially large guns. gun.

2. the act of firing guns. gun.

3. guns gun collectively.

gunnery

/ ˈɡʌnərɪ /

noun

1. the art and science of the efficient design and use of ordnance, esp artillery

2. guns collectively

3. the use and firing of guns

4. (modifier) of, relating to, or concerned with heavy guns, as in warfare

   a gunnery officer

Word History and Origins

Origin of gunnery¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; gun ¹ + -ery

Example Sentences

Unbelievably, the Mary Rose’s gunnery crew had failed to obey an order to close the gunports after the ship had begun to list.

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In 1943 he joined the Navy, where as a seaman he carried out general ship and gunnery duties on the Flower class corvette HMS Potentilla.

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He explained, “The Mongol on the ridge can put an arrow in a bird’s eye. He must be learning Chinese gunnery as a way to expand his business.”

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Mr Verge was a gunnery officer based in Portsmouth in 1953 and helped train the sailors who took part in the ceremony.

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The two AH-64 Apache helicopters were returning to Fort Wainwright from an aerial gunnery range southeast of Fairbanks when they collided.

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Related Words

• battery 
• cannon 
• ordnance