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

At the time, the Department of Justice argued that the president could sidestep the Insurrection Act to send armed troops into American streets over the objection of local leaders. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

With no clear answer to how long armed troops and federal agents will remain on their streets, Memphis activists like Miller insist there are better ways to make the city safer. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Umut Vakfi, a foundation campaigning for gun control, says incidents of armed violence have reached alarming levels, reporting more than 2,700 last year in the country of 86 million people. — ABC News, 10 July 2026

Modern consumers, increasingly sophisticated and armed with AI tools, now scrutinize product claims, demanding transparency and quantifiable results. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 10 July 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