artillery

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablemilitary

   Large guns that fire shells or missiles over long distances.

   Grammar: Uncountable when referring to the weapons as a group: the artillery was powerful.

   Patterns

   • heavy artillery
   • artillery fire
   • artillery shell

   The army used heavy artillery to break through the defenses.

   The sound of artillery could be heard for miles.

   They positioned the artillery on the hill.

2. 2noununcountablemilitary

   The branch of an army that uses large guns.

   Grammar: Uncountable and often used with the: he joined the artillery.

   Patterns

   • join the artillery
   • serve in the artillery

   He served in the artillery during the war.

   She was assigned to the artillery after training.

   The artillery played a key role in the battle.

3. 3noununcountablemilitary

   The act of firing large guns, or the firepower they provide.

   Grammar: Uncountable; often used in the phrase 'under artillery fire'.

   Patterns

   • under artillery fire
   • a barrage of artillery

   The troops advanced under heavy artillery.

   The city was subjected to constant artillery.

Common combinations

heavy artillery

The enemy brought up heavy artillery.

artillery fire

They took cover from the artillery fire.

artillery shell

An artillery shell landed near the village.

field artillery

Field artillery units moved into position.

artillery barrage

The artillery barrage lasted for hours.

Synonyms and how they differ

guns

A general word for large weapons, but less specific than artillery.

cannons

Refers to old-fashioned large guns, while artillery can include modern weapons.

ordnance

A technical term for military weapons and ammunition, broader than artillery.

Word family

artillerist noun

A person skilled in using artillery.

Commonly confused: artillery or artillerist?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “artillery”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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