# ammo

/ˈæˌmoʊ/ (US) · /ˈæməʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ammo
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. bullets and shells

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

the bullets, shells, or other objects fired from a weapon.

For teachers: a shortened form of ammunition; refers to projectiles and their fuses or propellants.

- The soldiers were worried because they were running low on ammo.
- The supply truck arrived just in time to replenish the unit's ammo before the next phase of the exercise began.

### 2. information for an argument

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

facts or information you can use to win an argument or prove someone is wrong.

For teachers: figurative use referring to evidence or information that can be used to support one's position or attack an opponent's credibility.

- His past mistakes gave his rivals plenty of ammo to use against him.
- The leaked internal memo provided the opposition party with all the ammo they needed to challenge the new policy in parliament.

### 3. gambling money

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang

money or chips used for betting, especially in a casino.

For teachers: slang for the financial resources or chips available to a gambler for wagering.

- He walked into the poker room with enough ammo for a long night.
- After a series of unfortunate hands, the gambler realized he had exhausted his ammo and was forced to leave the table.

Teaching tip: This sense is highly specific to gambling subcultures and is rarely heard in general conversation.

### 4. to load weapons

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to supply or load someone or something with bullets.

For teachers: to equip or supply with ammunition; often used in the context of preparing for a conflict.

- The crew spent the morning ammoing the planes for the training mission.
- The logistics team worked through the night, ammoing the defensive positions in anticipation of a dawn engagement.

## Examples

- The soldiers carried extra ammo for the long march.
- The police officer checked his ammo before entering the building.
- The general realized that without a steady supply of ammo, the front line would collapse within days.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.