artillery

Meaning

1. Large projectile weapons, in modern usage usually large guns, but also rocket artillery.
2. An army unit that uses such weapons, or a military formation using projectile weapons, such as archers.
3. Gunnery.
4. Weapons, especially siege engines.
5. (slang) A gun, or multiple.

Synonyms

ordnance

cannon

gun

🔫

weapon

gunnery

gunner

heavy weapon

artillery unit

arm

redshirt

artilleryman

arty

engine

ordinance

piece

weapon system

bettery

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɑːˈtɪləɹi/

Etymology

From Middle English artillerie, from Old French artillerie (“collection of military engines, crossbows, lances etc.”), from artillier (“to equip, provide with contraptions”), alteration of atiller (“to arrange, adjust, put on clothes or, especially, pieces of armour”) (influenced by art), itself from Vulgar Latin *apticlō < **apticulō, from Latin aptō (“to make capable”).