ordnance

Everyday

1. Military weapons, especially large guns, bombs, shells and ammunition. tree →
2. Ordnance Survey: the government map-making organisation of Great Britain (Ordnance Survey Ireland in Ireland) (a name). tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons about wars: «unexploded ordnance» means old bombs or shells that have not gone off, which can still be found on beaches and building sites. In geography lessons in the UK, OS (Ordnance Survey) maps are the detailed maps with grid references.

Examples

• We used an Ordnance Survey map to find the path. tree →
• Find the church on the OS map using a four-figure grid reference. tree →
• Unexploded ordnance from the war was found on the beach. tree →
• The army stored its ordnance in a guarded building. tree →
• The Ordnance Survey began by mapping Britain for the army. tree →
• Ordnance experts made the old bomb safe. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Spelling trap: «ordnance» (weapons, no i) and «ordinance» (a law or rule, with an i) are different words. Safety: if you find something that looks like an old bomb or shell, do not touch it; move away and tell an adult, who calls the police.