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

With Iran enriching uranium up to 60 percent purity and Israel threatening to launch strikes itself, the urgency to prevent an armed conflict is intensifying. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025

Topline Indian and Pakistani officials announced Wednesday morning a ceasefire was reached between both countries, putting an immediate end to an armed conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations after three days of fighting. —Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

The attack occurred Wednesday around 10 p.m. in Hartford when several armed men began shooting at the group. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025

Another man — whose doorbell camera recorded the crash — couldn’t give police a better description of the two armed men. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025

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