Look-alike words
Ordinance vs. Ordnance
Ordinance is a noun for a local law or rule passed by a city or town. Ordnance is a noun for military weapons, ammunition and related supplies. A town ordinance limits noise; the army stores ordnance.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ordinance | noun | a law or rule made by a city, county or town government |
| ordnance | noun | military supplies, especially weapons, ammunition and large guns |
Ordinance
noun: a law or rule made by a city, county or town government
- A city ordinance bans parking on this street overnight.
- The town passed an ordinance requiring dogs to be on leashes in parks.
Ordnance
noun: military supplies, especially weapons, ammunition and large guns
- The army museum has a hall full of old ordnance from the 1800s.
- Construction stopped when workers found old ordnance buried near the base.
How to remember the difference
Ordinance has an I, like city: it is a city law. Ordnance has no I, like army: it is army equipment.
Good to know
Ordnance has two syllables (ORD-nunss), while ordinance has three (ORD-in-unss). Both come from the same root as order.
Spot the mistake
The city council passed a new
ordnanceordinance about fireworks.Correct: The city council passed a new ordinance about fireworks.
The navy stores its
ordinanceordnance in a guarded depot.Correct: The navy stores its ordnance in a guarded depot.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. A local says trash cans must be off the curb by Monday night.
Answer: ordinance. This is a town rule, so the word is ordinance.
2. Soldiers moved crates of onto the supply ship.
Answer: ordnance. These are military supplies, so the word is ordnance.