“Ordinance” and “ordnance” are two terms that sound similar but have very different meanings. “Ordinance” refers to a law or regulation, often enacted by local governments, while “ordnance” refers to military equipment, especially weapons and ammunition. This lesson will explain the differences and provide examples of each term in use.
Ordinance
Definition:
“Ordinance” is a decree, law, or regulation, typically issued by a local government or authority.
Examples of use:
The city council passed an ordinance to regulate noise levels in residential areas.
The town’s new recycling ordinance aims to reduce waste by 20%.
Commissioners are discussing an ordinance to improve the local park by adding more facilities.
Ordnance
Definition:
“Ordnance” refers to military weapons, equipment, and ammunition.
Examples of use:
The soldiers were trained to safely handle unexploded ordnance on the battlefield.
The technology can help find and remove unexploded ordnance in former war zones.
The military base has a large stockpile of ordnance, including tanks, missiles, and other heavy weapons.
“Ordinance” is a term used in legal contexts to refer to laws or regulations, while “ordnance” is associated with military equipment and weaponry. Knowing the difference between these words ensures clarity, especially in legal or military discussions