armament

noun

ar·​ma·​ment ˈär-mə-mənt How to pronounce armament (audio)
 also  ˈärm-mənt
1
: a military or naval force
2
a
: the aggregate of a nation's military strength
b
3
: the process of preparing for war

Example Sentences

The country's armament will take years. a small nation that is determined to have adequate armaments
Recent Examples on the Web Many amulets, helmets and armaments given to the volunteer soldiers have elements of embroidery in them to protect the soldiers. Amy Bizzarri, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 May 2023 The Ukrainian president’s whirlwind tour aims to elicit pledges for more armaments, including fighter jets, along with funds to rebuild what’s been destroyed in more than 14 months since the Russian invasion. Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 14 May 2023 Police need some of the heavy armament that some people criticize as excessive. Michael Fanone, CNN, 16 Apr. 2023 In addition to their nuclear armament, each of the subs is equipped with four 533-millimeter torpedo tubes. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 1 May 2023 For the past decade, public polls have shown a majority of South Koreans support nuclear armament, and now, upward of 70 percent of the population supports it. Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2023 Nuclear armament would most likely anger both China, South Korea’s largest trading partner, and the U.S., its longtime defense guarantor. Michael Mitsanas, NBC News, 25 Apr. 2023 Some observers are worried the Pentagon is not doing enough to replenish the billions of dollars in armaments that have left American stocks. Missy Ryan, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Mar. 2023 Ukraine's State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate believes that this placement of armaments endangers both plant personnel and local residents. Katya Soldak, Forbes, 4 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'armament.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French armement "action of arming, equipping of an armed force" (from armer "to arm entry 2" + -ment -ment), reshaped after Latin armāmenta (neuter plural) "sailing gear of a ship, equipment, implements," from armāre "to arm entry 2, equip" + -menta, plural of -mentum -ment

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of armament was in 1632

Dictionary Entries Near armament

Cite this Entry

“Armament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armament. Accessed 2 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

armament

noun
ar·​ma·​ment ˈär-mə-mənt How to pronounce armament (audio)
1
: the military strength and equipment of a nation
2
: a supply of war materials
3
: the process of preparing for war
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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