Etymology Map
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Ammunition

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means bullets and shells for weapons

Where does the word "ammunition" come from? It comes from Latin munitio, passing through French before entering English (1620s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
munitio
Latin · ancient
"fortification"
from 'munire', to fortify
2
Stage 2 of 3
la munition
French · 1600s
"munitions"
military supplies; misheard as 'l'amunition'
3
Stage 3 of 3
ammunition
English · 1620s
"military supplies"
later narrowed to bullets and shells
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Read the full story

Ammunition’s story begins in Latin: munitio meant “fortification.” From 'munire', to fortify. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as la munition. Military supplies; misheard as 'l'amunition'. It reached English by 1620s as ammunition. Later narrowed to bullets and shells. Today, ammunition means bullets and shells for weapons.