Munitions
/mjuːˈnɪʃənz/noun
Military weapons, ammunition, and other supplies used in war.
Did you know?Its ancestor is Latin *munire*, meaning “to fortify” or “protect,” the same root behind *municipal* and *community*—so war-supply and civic duty share an ancient “building walls” origin.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mei-
“to bind, tie, or fasten”
Latin
Latin
munire
“to fortify, defend, or supply with defenses”
Late Latin
Latin
munitionem
“a fortification, defense, or provision”
Middle French
Old French
munition
“military supplies; provision, equipment”
16th Century
English
munitions
“military stores, especially weapons and ammunition”
Modern English
English
munitions
“weapons, ammunition, and military supplies”