armoury
gb/ˈɑɹmoʊɹi/ us/ˈɑɹmoʊɹi/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
place where weapons are stored
a place where weapons are kept
Usage pattern:
the armoury (at/in) [place]
Common mistake:
Learners often mix up the British spelling armoury with the US spelling armory.
Synonyms
arsenal (Often suggests a larger store of weapons, sometimes for a nation or army.)
|
armory (US spelling of armoury.)
Collocations
police armoury
|military armoury
|regimental armoury
|the base armoury
|secure armoury
|weapons in the armoury
|guard the armoury
|lock the armoury
|access to the armoury
|raid the armoury
Themes
military
|security
|buildings
Examples
- All firearms are checked in and out of the police armoury.
- The keys to the armoury are kept in a separate safe.
- After the alarm, officers rushed to secure the armoury.
Learner examples
- The weapons are in the armoury.
- He works in the army’s armoury.
Noun
C1
entity
2
set of useful resources
a collection of skills or tools you can use
Usage pattern:
an armoury of [skills/tools/arguments]
Common mistake:
This is usually used with of (an armoury of tools/arguments), not as a countable item for one tool.
Synonyms
toolkit (More informal and practical; often used in work or self-help contexts.)
|
repertoire (Emphasizes a set of things you can perform or use repeatedly, especially skills or methods.)
|
arsenal (Common figurative alternative; can sound slightly stronger or more aggressive.)
Collocations
an armoury of arguments
|an armoury of skills
|an armoury of tools
|an armoury of techniques
|an armoury of resources
|an armoury of measures
|a full armoury
|a legal armoury
|a rhetorical armoury
|build an armoury
Themes
communication
|education
|work
|thinking_and_learning
Examples
- The negotiator has an armoury of techniques for calming tense meetings.
- The report gave ministers an armoury of arguments to defend the policy.
- Good managers need an armoury of communication skills.
Learner examples
- She has an armoury of skills.
- We need an armoury of tools to solve this.
Noun
C1
entity
3
military or reserve armory building
a military building used for equipment and training
Usage pattern:
the [unit]'s armoury; an armoury in [town/place]
Common mistake:
In US English this is usually spelled armory; armoury is more common in British, Canadian, and other varieties.
Synonyms
armory (US spelling; often used for National Guard facilities.)
|
drill hall (Focuses more on training space than weapon storage.)
Collocations
National Guard armoury
|local armoury
|drill at the armoury
|meet at the armoury
|the old armoury building
|convert the armoury
|armoury hall
|armoury grounds
|armoury training
|armoury staff
Themes
military
|security
|buildings
Examples
- The unit will assemble at the town armoury at 0600.
- The old armoury has been converted into a community arts venue.
- Recruits trained in the armoury gym during the winter.
Learner examples
- They met at the armoury.
- The armoury is near the station.
Noun
technical
C2
entity
4
coats of arms and heraldry
the study or collection of coats of arms
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s armoury; the armoury of [family/region]
Common mistake:
This meaning is rare in modern general English and is not about weapons.
Synonyms
heraldry (The more common term for the subject area.)
Collocations
heraldic armoury
|family armoury
|armoury records
|armoury book
|armoury of England
|armoury of the kingdom
Themes
art
|history
|culture
Examples
- The museum’s catalogue includes a section on Scottish armoury.
- He consulted a reference work on armoury to identify the symbols on the shield.
Grammar
Dictionary form
armoury
IPA
GB/ˈɑɹmoʊɹi/
US/ˈɑɹmoʊɹi/
Syllables & stress
ar - moury (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: armoury
- Plural: armouries
Word family
Expressions
a weapon in [someone]'s armoury
1/ə wˈɛpən ˈɪn sˈoʊmˈoʊnz ˈɑɹmoʊɹi/
idiom
useful advantage or tactic
a useful method you can use
Examples
- Humour can be a powerful weapon in your armoury during a difficult meeting.
- Experience is another weapon in her armoury when negotiating contracts.
- Patience was his best weapon in his armoury as the talks dragged on.
add [something] to your armoury
1/ˈæd sˈʌmθɪŋ tə jˈʊɹ ˈɑɹmoʊɹi/
fixed phrase
gain a new useful skill
learn something new you can use later
Examples
- The course helps you add new negotiation techniques to your armoury.
- Over time she added data analysis to her armoury of skills.
- Reading widely will add ideas to your armoury as a writer.
an armoury of [things]
1/ən ˈɑɹmoʊɹi əv θˈɪŋz/
fixed phrase
a wide range of resources
many useful skills or tools
Examples
- Teachers need an armoury of strategies to keep students engaged.
- The lawyer arrived with an armoury of case law to support the claim.
- The app offers an armoury of features for organizing projects.
raid the armoury
1/ɹˈeɪd ðə ˈɑɹmoʊɹi/
fixed phrase
steal weapons from storage
break in to steal weapons
Examples
- The group planned to raid the armoury to get hold of rifles.
- Police increased patrols after a gang threatened to raid the armoury.
- Two suspects were arrested for attempting to raid the armoury overnight.