artillery

Definition

The big guns of warfare—massive, crew-operated weapons designed to make things go boom from a considerable distance. These are the overachievers of the munitions world, too large and impressive to be carried by one person, requiring teams to operate and maintain. When someone says they're bringing out the heavy artillery, they mean business (or they're really committed to winning an argument).

Example Usage

The artillery barrage lasted for three hours before the infantry advance began.

Source: Military terminology, common usage

Related Terms

Beginner

SITREP

Situation Report — a concise update on current conditions. It is the military's version of 'what's the latest' but formalized, standardized, and stripped of all casual chitchat. The original status update, centuries before social media ruined the concept.

🎖️ Military / Defense

Beginner

death by PowerPoint

The excruciating experience of sitting through endless, poorly designed slide presentations that drain the will to live. A modern form of torture perfected in military briefing rooms.

🎖️ Military / Defense

Beginner

Cadence

A rhythmic chant called out while marching or running in formation. Essentially the military invented group karaoke but made it mandatory and added push-ups. The lyrics range from motivational to deeply questionable.

🎖️ Military / Defense

Intermediate

CASEVAC

Casualty Evacuation using non-medical assets like trucks or helicopters without dedicated medical personnel. When you need to get wounded out fast and can't wait for the ambulance with the red cross.

🎖️ Military / Defense

Beginner

watch

A scheduled period of duty, particularly aboard ships or in security operations. Borrowed from nautical tradition, it's why military personnel measure their lives in four-hour increments of consciousness.

🎖️ Military / Defense

Beginner

TIC

Troops In Contact—a report indicating friendly forces are actively engaged in combat with the enemy. The radio call that turns everyone's relaxed posture into focused urgency.

🎖️ Military / Defense

Translate This Term

See “artillery” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on X Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Beginner

lwwy

Live While We\'re Young...