artillery

UK: /ɑː^rˈtɪləri/ US: /ɑrˈtɪləri/ ,(är til′ə rē)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ar•til•ler•y /ɑrˈtɪləri/   n. [uncountable]

1. Military large guns or missile launchers mounted on wheels.
2. Military the troops or the branch of an army using and caring for artillery.

ar•til•ler•y•man, n. [countable] , pl. -men. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ar•til•ler•y  (är til′ə rē), n. 

1. Military mounted projectile-firing guns or missile launchers, mobile or stationary, light or heavy, as distinguished from small arms.
2. Military the troops or the branch of an army concerned with the use and service of such weapons.
3. Military the science that treats of the use of such weapons.

• Vulgar Latin *apticulāre, derivative of Latin aptāre to put on (armor, ornaments, etc; see adapt); -i- for expected -ei- perh. by association with atirier; see attire) + -erie -ery
• Anglo-French, Middle French artillerie, equivalent. to Old French artill(ier) to equip, arm, alteration, by association with art art¹, of atill(i)er to set in order, put on armor (
• Middle English artil(le)rie, artelry, art(u)ry armaments, ballistic engines 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

artillery / ɑːˈtɪlərɪ/ noun

1. guns, cannon, howitzers, mortars, etc, of calibre greater than 20 mm
2. troops or military units specializing in using such guns
3. the science dealing with the use of guns
4. devices for discharging heavy missiles, such as catapults or slings

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French artillerie, from artillier to equip with weapons, of uncertain origin