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

Four armed criminal action charges against Gavrilys were dropped as part of his plea deal in Jackson County Circuit Court. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026

In addition, this operation benefited from the element of surprise, as the Russian soldiers were unprepared for a coordinated assault involving armed ground robots. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

The employees were taken hostage by two armed individuals on Thursday while conducting fieldwork in the forest, according to the Forest Service. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 2026

The two employees were conducting fieldwork when two armed people took them hostage at gunpoint early Thursday, Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue said at a news conference Friday. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 17 July 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