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
: 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
Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
The country is also the site of the Western Hemisphere’s longest-running internal armed conflict, and constitutionally requires all men between the ages of 18 and 24 to undertake some form of military service.
—Rebecca Johns, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
And in part because armed military personnel are, according to officials, on their way to Chicago to raid immigrant communities.
—Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Despite being significantly weakened by Israel over the past two years, Hezbollah remains Lebanon’s most powerful armed group and has a large support base among the country’s large Shiite community.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for armed
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Adjective
The occupiers tore down fences, carved new roads on the reserve and posted armed guards during their 41-day occupation, former Idaho Statesman reporter Rocky Barker wrote at the time.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
The country is also the site of the Western Hemisphere’s longest-running internal armed conflict, and constitutionally requires all men between the ages of 18 and 24 to undertake some form of military service.
—Rebecca Johns, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
And in part because armed military personnel are, according to officials, on their way to Chicago to raid immigrant communities.
—Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Despite being significantly weakened by Israel over the past two years, Hezbollah remains Lebanon’s most powerful armed group and has a large support base among the country’s large Shiite community.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for armed
Cite this Entry
“Armed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armed. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
armed
adjective1
: 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
adjective1
: having a weapon
an armed assailant
2
: involving the use of a weapon
an armed attack
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