weaponry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weaponry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to weapons collectively, especially in a military or strategic context. Example: "The country has invested heavily in advanced weaponry to enhance its defense capabilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once ashore, he tools up with a startling amount of weaponry.

The Guardian - Film

"They creep into domestic law enforcement, either with weaponry like with the militarization of police, or interrogation practices.

The Guardian

"Russia has revived contacts with its African comrades that used to be traditional buyers of Soviet weaponry", said Scott Firsing, a lecturer in International Studies at Monash University in Johannesburg.

The Guardian

"For more than half a century, Saudi leaders manipulated the United States by feeding our oil addiction, lavishing money on politicians, helping to finance American wars, and buying billions of dollars in weaponry from US companies.

The Guardian

As for the assertion that anti-tank or anti-aircraft weaponry, if delivered by the west, would fall into Isis hands, well, Filiu responds that this risk fades considerably compared to the huge quantity of American military equipment given to Isis last year when Mosul fell: the US equipped Iraqi army abandoned all its hardware to the assaillants.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pro-Russia rebels said on Tuesday they had started pulling heavy weaponry back from the frontline in accordance with the putative peace plan, which aims to create a buffer zone between the two sides' artillery.

The Guardian

During the Thatcher years, Scottish Labour deployed nationalist weaponry against Conservative governments and, in doing so, unwittingly helped delegitimise aspects of the British state.

The Guardian

Democratic leaders have likewise claimed to recognise the legitimacy of a public debate about the proportionate nature of the state's weaponry against terrorism.

The Guardian

The article takes a fairly detailed look at the state of the regime's weaponry and its likely usefulness in the conflict.

The Guardian

Rejecting this anti-democratic and frankly unAmerican course of action, Matrix instead hunts down, and dispatches, all of Arius's henchmen, using a variety of weaponry and one-liners.

The Guardian - Film

Being nice to Gulf autocrats certainly brings some benefits for western countries: we buy their oil and they spend the money on buying our weaponry.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about military strength or geopolitical strategy, use "weaponry" to convey a comprehensive understanding of a nation's offensive and defensive capabilities.

Common error

Avoid using "weaponry" when referring to a single weapon; it is a collective noun and should describe a range of arms and military equipment, not just one item.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "weaponry" is as a noun, typically used as a collective noun to refer to a collection or range of weapons. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and common. It often appears as the object of a preposition (e.g., "array of weaponry") or as a subject itself.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Opinion

16%

Film

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "weaponry" is a grammatically sound and frequently used collective noun, commonly found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI notes, it appropriately refers to collections of weapons, highlighting military capabilities and strategic arsenals. While versatile, it is essential to avoid using "weaponry" for single items, as its collective nature demands a range of arms. Alternatives such as "arms and armaments" or "military hardware" offer similar meanings. Understanding its proper usage ensures clear and accurate communication in discussions of military strategy and national defense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arms and armaments

Emphasizes the variety and scale of military equipment.

military hardware

Focuses on the physical components and technology used in warfare.

war materials

Highlights the resources and supplies needed for conducting war.

arsenal of weapons

Specifically refers to a collection or stock of weapons.

ordnance

Formal term for military supplies including weapons, ammunition, combat vehicles and equipment.

military equipment

Broader term encompassing all tools and gear used by armed forces.

combat implements

Highlights the tools designed for combat and warfare.

fighting technology

Focuses on advanced tools and systems used for warfare.

defense systems

Emphasizes the role of weapons in protecting a nation or entity.

instruments of war

Formal term referring to the physical tools of conflict and aggression.

FAQs

How to use "weaponry" in a sentence?

Use "weaponry" to refer to a collection of weapons. For example, "The country invested heavily in advanced weaponry to enhance its defense capabilities".

What can I say instead of "weaponry"?

You can use alternatives like "arms and armaments", "military hardware", or "arsenal of weapons" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "weaponry" to describe a single weapon?

No, "weaponry" is a collective noun. It's more appropriate to use "weapon" when referring to a single item.

What's the difference between "weaponry" and "weapons"?

"Weaponry" is a collective noun referring to weapons in general or the weapons possessed by a group or nation. "Weapons" is the plural form of weapon, referring to individual items.