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 suspects arrested allegedly planned to target senior government officials with small, armed drones; no devices were launched. — Larry Seward, CBS News, 26 June 2026

The revelation appears to be a remarkable disconnect between responding agencies and a failure to follow up on an important lead to finding a person considered to be armed and dangerous. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026

In 1990, Congress authorized this emergency humanitarian relief for noncitizens whose home countries were racked by armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary disruptions. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026

Once a medical student in Port-au-Prince, Exama came to the US two years ago on humanitarian parole after an armed attack on his medical school and affiliated hospital, which has been shut ever since. — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 25 June 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