armed

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈärmd 

1

a

: furnished with weapons

an armed guard

also : using or involving a weapon

b

: furnished with something that provides security, strength, or efficacy

armed with knowledge

2

: marked by the maintenance of armed forces in readiness

armed

2 of 2

adjective (2)

: having an arm or arms especially of a specified kind or number

—usually used in combination

long-armed

two-armed

Examples of armed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The lawmakers behind the push are aiming to block further military action without authorization under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which Congress passed in response to the Vietnam War as a check on the president's power to enter armed conflict without consent from the legislative branch. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026

DiZoglio could take a page out of strong-armed Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s playbook and recruit some credible candidates – call them the Audit Brigade – to run against Senate President Karen Spilka and 79-year-old House Speaker Ron Mariano at least. —Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026

Deep in the Amazon, far from Caracas and invisible to Washington, a criminal industry in Venezuela is expanding under armed protection. —Wendy R. Anderson, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2026

While neither would preclude an attack on an armed enemy combatant, analysts noted the Iranian ship was not nearly in an equal fight with the US fast-attack sub. —Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Middle English, from past participle of armen "to arm entry 2"

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective (2)

1500, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing armed

• armed and dangerous
• armed forces
• armed robbery
• armed to the teeth
• heavily armed
• one-armed bandit

Rhymes for armed

• alarmed
• disarmed
• unarmed
• unharmed
• charmed
• farmed
• harmed

Kids Definition

armed

adjective

1

: furnished with weapons

an armed guard

2

: furnished with something that provides security or strength

armed with knowledge

Medical Definition

armed

adjective

ˈärmd 

1

: having an arm or arms especially of a specified kind or number

—usually used in combination

long-armed

two-armed

2

: having a spiny rostellum

a tapeworm armed with numerous hammer-shaped hooks

Legal Definition

armed

adjective

ˈärmd 

1

: having a weapon

an armed assailant

2

: involving the use of a weapon

an armed attack