armed

1 of 3

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 3

adjective (2)

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

—usually used in combination

long-armed

two-armed

armed

3 of 3

past tense and past participle of arm entry 2

Examples of armed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Texans joined hands, whispered prayers - and some armed themselves, bought supplies and waited. — Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026

Many are not from Cap-Haïtien and would need to find lodging or eventually cross a country where armed gangs control key roads. — Gérard Maxineau, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

But so far, it’s shown no sign of pushing the country’s increasingly hard-line leaders to make concessions on the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s disputed nuclear program or its support for armed groups in the region. — Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

The suspect is the son of the resident who owns the home and was likely armed with multiple weapons, including a possible firearm, Oldoerp said. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 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