Woolwich (wo͝ol′ĭch or ĭj), a town in Kent, England, on Thames River, about nine miles east of London. It is the seat of the principal arsenal of Great Britain, and has the government's factories for producing war-material of all sorts, except gunpowder. The dockyards have existed since 1515, and some of the largest ships of the English navy have been built here. The royal artillery barracks and the Royal Military Academy are also at Woolwich. Population 117,175.