Word
artillery
Phoneticsar·tillery
US/ɑɹˈtɪɫɝi/
UK/ɑːtˈɪləɹi/
Definitions
01large weapons
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. large, heavy guns or rocket launchers used by an army to fire over long distances.
n. large-calibre guns, howitzers, or missile launchers designed for long-range bombardment. Uncountable in its general sense.
“The sound of heavy artillery could be heard from the city walls.”
“The defensive line was bolstered by heavy artillery positioned on the ridge, capable of striking targets several miles away.”
Antonyms
02military unit
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the part of an army that is trained to use large guns.
n. the branch of a military force that operates large-calibre weapons. Often functions as a collective noun.
“He decided to join the artillery because he was interested in ballistics.”
“The artillery provided essential cover for the advancing infantry, coordinating their fire with precision timing.”
03personal weapons
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Informal · Slang · Humorous
n. a slang word for a gun or a collection of guns.
n. a slang or informal reference to firearms, particularly when implying a significant or impressive collection. Often used with humorous intent.
“He showed up to the range with all his artillery in the back of his truck.”
“The detective joked about the suspect's 'artillery' after finding three antique revolvers hidden in the floorboards.”
Teaching tip
This sense is informal and often used ironically to describe a person's personal collection of weapons rather than actual military equipment.
Real-World Examples
“There were also Israeli artillery attacks in areas northeast of the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, as they continued firing in the eastern parts of the Strip.” “Pyongyang is providing troops, artillery ammunition and ballistic missiles to support Moscow’s war against Ukraine.” 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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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