ar·til·lery

/ɑɚˈtıləri/ noun [noncount]

1 : large guns that are used to shoot over a great distance

The troops were being bombarded by artillery.

— often used before another noun

The troops were under heavy artillery fire.

artillery shells

— often used figuratively

His first argument didn't work, so he brought out the heavy artillery. [=he started using a different and more powerful argument]

2 : the part of an army that uses large guns to shoot over a great distance

a captain in the artillery

— often used before another noun

artillery units