ammunition
Ammunition is the supply of bullets or shells used in guns or weapons.
Explanation at your level:
Ammunition is a word for bullets. Soldiers use it. You do not use it for food or clothes. It is only for weapons. When you have a gun, you need ammunition to make it shoot.
Ammunition is a noun. It refers to things like bullets or shells. We use it when talking about war or police. Sometimes people use it to talk about arguments, like 'he had no ammunition' to win the talk.
Ammunition is an uncountable noun. You use it to describe the supplies for weapons. In a figurative sense, you can use it to describe evidence. For example, if you have facts that help you win an argument, you have 'ammunition' for your debate.
Ammunition is frequently used in both military and metaphorical contexts. It is a mass noun, so it never takes an 's.' Native speakers often use it to describe the 'leverage' or 'evidence' one gathers before a confrontation or negotiation.
The term ammunition serves as a potent metaphor for intellectual or rhetorical weaponry. In academic or professional settings, one might 'gather ammunition' in the form of empirical data to bolster a thesis. It implies a sense of tactical preparation and the intent to dismantle an opposing viewpoint.
Etymologically rooted in the concept of fortification, ammunition represents the logistical necessity of defense and offense. In literature and high-level discourse, the word carries a weight of conflict. It suggests that information is not merely neutral, but can be deployed with strategic intent to achieve a specific outcome in a social or political landscape.
30초 단어
- Ammunition is a collective noun for bullets or shells.
- It is always uncountable (never 'ammunitions').
- It is commonly used as a metaphor for evidence or facts.
- The word originates from the French 'la munition'.
When you hear the word ammunition, you probably think of soldiers or action movies. It is the collective term for the things that go inside a weapon to make it work, like bullets or missiles.
However, you will often hear it used in everyday conversations that have nothing to do with weapons. If you are in an argument and you find a new fact that makes your point stronger, you have just found more ammunition for your case. It is a very powerful way to describe how we use information to 'attack' an idea or defend our own.
The history of this word is quite fascinating! It comes from the French word la munition, which originally meant 'to fortify' or 'to provide.' It is related to the Latin word munire, meaning to build a wall or protect.
Over time, the 'a' at the beginning was added because people misheard the French phrase la munition as l'ammunition. It evolved from a general term for military supplies into the specific word we use today for things that go 'bang' in a weapon.
You use ammunition as an uncountable noun, meaning you never say 'ammunitions.' You always say 'a supply of ammunition' or 'some ammunition.'
In formal writing, it is used in military contexts. In casual speech, it is common to say someone is 'gathering ammunition' when they are preparing to criticize a boss or a rival. It is a strong, slightly aggressive word that implies you are ready for a confrontation.
1. Provide ammunition: To give someone facts they can use against you. Example: Your late arrival provided him with the ammunition he needed to fire you.
2. Run out of ammunition: To have no more arguments or facts left. Example: Once I explained the data, he ran out of ammunition to defend his theory.
3. Use as ammunition: To weaponize information. Example: She used his past mistakes as ammunition in the debate.
4. Supply with ammunition: To help someone prepare for a fight. Example: I supplied him with the ammunition he needed to win the case.
5. Lack ammunition: To be unprepared for a disagreement. Example: We lacked the ammunition to challenge the new policy effectively.
Ammunition is an uncountable noun. This means it does not have a plural form. You cannot say 'ammunitions.' You should treat it like 'water' or 'sand' in your sentences.
The IPA is /ˌæmjəˈnɪʃən/. It is stressed on the third syllable (ni). Rhyming words include partition, condition, and tradition. It is a four-syllable word that flows quite smoothly once you get the rhythm down!
Fun Fact
The 'a' was added by mistake in English!
Pronunciation Guide
am-yuh-NISH-un
am-yuh-NISH-un
Common Errors
- pronouncing the 't' too hard
- stressing the first syllable
- adding an 's' at the end
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read but abstract in metaphor.
Easy to use in sentences.
Commonly used.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Uncountable Nouns
Ammunition is like water.
Metaphorical Language
Using war words for peace.
Collective Nouns
Ammunition as a group.
Examples by Level
The soldier has ammunition.
The person in the army has bullets.
Uncountable noun.
The police officer checked his ammunition.
They ran out of ammunition.
He carried a bag of ammunition.
The tank needs more ammunition.
The soldiers were low on ammunition.
Bullets are a type of ammunition.
Keep the ammunition in a safe place.
The base was full of ammunition.
She gathered ammunition for her argument.
The facts provided ammunition for the protesters.
He had no ammunition to fight the claim.
The report gave them ammunition to complain.
They are looking for ammunition to use against him.
The company is running out of ammunition in the market.
He used the email as ammunition in court.
The debate was tough because they had good ammunition.
The journalist used the leaked documents as ammunition.
Her past performance provided plenty of ammunition for the critics.
They were armed with enough ammunition to win the debate.
He sought ammunition to discredit his rival.
The politician was prepared with ammunition for the press conference.
The evidence served as perfect ammunition for the defense.
Don't give him any ammunition to use against you.
The team lacked the ammunition to compete with the giants.
The candidate gathered ammunition to dismantle the opponent's policy.
The audit provided the necessary ammunition for the board to act.
His research served as intellectual ammunition for the movement.
She was careful not to provide her boss with any ammunition.
The article was full of ammunition against the current administration.
They were searching for ammunition to justify the budget cuts.
The lawyer used the witness statement as ammunition.
He was loaded with ammunition for the upcoming negotiation.
The strategist viewed the market data as ammunition for the acquisition.
In the theater of war, the logistics of ammunition are paramount.
She wielded the facts like ammunition in the boardroom.
The historical records provided ammunition for the revisionist argument.
He felt defenseless, having exhausted his ammunition of arguments.
The subtle nuances of the speech provided ammunition for the analysts.
The conflict escalated as both sides gathered more ammunition.
The narrative served as ammunition in the cultural war.
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"run out of ammo"
to have no more arguments
He ran out of ammo during the debate.
casual"give someone ammunition"
to provide facts they can use against you
Don't give him ammunition.
neutral"armed with ammunition"
prepared with facts
She arrived armed with ammunition.
neutral"use as ammunition"
to weaponize information
He used the letter as ammunition.
neutral"lack ammunition"
to be unprepared
We lacked ammunition for the talk.
neutral"search for ammunition"
to look for evidence
He is searching for ammunition.
neutralEasily Confused
Sounds similar
Munitions refers to broader military supplies.
The munitions factory.
Both military
Armament refers to the weapons themselves.
The ship's armament.
Specific type
Bullets are just one type of ammunition.
He fired three bullets.
Etymology
Provisions are food/supplies, not weapons.
We need provisions for the trip.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + needs + ammunition
The army needs ammunition.
Subject + gathered + ammunition + for + argument
He gathered ammunition for the argument.
Subject + ran + out + of + ammunition
They ran out of ammunition.
Subject + provided + ammunition + to + opponent
He provided ammunition to his opponent.
Subject + used + evidence + as + ammunition
She used the data as ammunition.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
관련
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
It is an uncountable noun.
Use 'some' or 'a supply of'.
Uncountable nouns use 'much'.
Uncountable nouns take singular verbs.
Ammunition is a collective term.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a box of bullets labeled 'Facts' to remember the metaphor.
Native Usage
Use it when talking about 'winning' a debate.
Cultural Insight
It is very common in political news.
Grammar Shortcut
Never use 'a' or 's' with it.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'NISH' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Do not pluralize it.
Did You Know?
It comes from the French word for 'to provide'.
Study Smart
Read news articles to see how it is used metaphorically.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Am-my-nition: I am in the nation with bullets.
Visual Association
A box of bullets with a label on it.
Word Web
챌린지
Try to use the word in a sentence about a debate today.
어원
French
Original meaning: to provide or fortify
문화적 맥락
Can be sensitive due to its association with weapons.
Commonly used in political debates and news reporting.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Military
- low on ammunition
- ammunition dump
- live ammunition
Debate
- gather ammunition
- lack ammunition
- use as ammunition
Politics
- political ammunition
- provide ammunition
Journalism
- find ammunition
- new ammunition
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever heard the word ammunition used in a non-military way?"
"Why do you think people use war metaphors for arguments?"
"What kind of 'ammunition' do you need for a good debate?"
"Is it better to have facts as ammunition or just emotion?"
"How does the word ammunition make you feel when you hear it?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt unprepared for a discussion.
Describe a situation where you had 'ammunition' to win an argument.
Why is language often violent in its metaphors?
Reflect on how words can be used as weapons.
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문No, it is uncountable.
No, it is also a metaphor for evidence.
Ammo is just the casual short form.
It is almost exclusively a noun.
am-yuh-NISH-un.
It is used in both.
No.
No, that would be 'provisions'.
셀프 테스트
The soldier needs more ___.
Ammunition is for weapons.
Which is correct?
Ammunition is uncountable.
Ammunition can be used to describe facts in an argument.
It is a common metaphor.
Word
뜻
Register difference.
He gathered ammunition for the argument.
점수: /5
Summary
Ammunition is the fuel for weapons, but in conversation, it is the fuel for your arguments.
- Ammunition is a collective noun for bullets or shells.
- It is always uncountable (never 'ammunitions').
- It is commonly used as a metaphor for evidence or facts.
- The word originates from the French 'la munition'.
Memory Palace
Imagine a box of bullets labeled 'Facts' to remember the metaphor.
Native Usage
Use it when talking about 'winning' a debate.
Cultural Insight
It is very common in political news.
Grammar Shortcut
Never use 'a' or 's' with it.
예시
The hunters made sure to pack enough ammunition before heading into the woods.
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