armed forces

plural noun

Synonyms of armed forcesnext
: the combined military, naval, and air forces of a nation

called also armed services

Examples of armed forces in a Sentence

our nation's armed forces are stationed throughout the world
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
May God bless the brave men and women of America’s armed forces. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026 By the end of 1942, the guild estimated that more than half its membership was serving in the armed forces. Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026 May God bless the men and women of our armed forces, our Israeli military partners, and all those who stand with us in our mission against the purveyor of terrorism and radical Islam that is the Islamic Republic of Iran. Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026 Mojtaba served in the armed forces during the Iran-Iraq war, and is said to wield influence behind the scenes as his father’s gatekeeper. Suman Naishadham, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for armed forces

Word History

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of armed forces was in 1572

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Armed forces.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armed%20forces. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

armed forces

plural noun
: the military, naval, and air forces of a nation

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