munition

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   usually plural: military weapons, ammunition, explosives, and other supplies used in war

   The factory produced munitions for the army throughout the war.

2. 2
   noun

   a complete explosive weapon, such as a bomb, shell, rocket, or missile

   The disposal team identified the unexploded munition before clearing the area.

3. 3
   noun

   archaic: a defensive wall, fortification, or stronghold

   The old chronicle describes a stone munition overlooking the harbor.

Via French munition from Latin munitio, 'fortification or defense,' from munire, 'to fortify.' The older English sense was a defensive work; the plural munitions later became the usual term for military weapons, ammunition, and supplies.

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