armed

1 of 2

adjective (1)

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
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.
Adjective
Simultaneously, as of yesterday, ICE is attacking the town of Huron, with armed militia surrounding homes. Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025 Security camera footage showed about a dozen armed federal agents in tactical gear positioning themselves in the front yard. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025 Amy Murray, 46, entered an Alford plea to charges of second-degree murder, second-degree arson and tampering with evidence on June 25 in a deal with prosecutors, who agreed to drop the charge of armed criminal action against her. Chris Spargo, People.com, 27 June 2025 The deal has been touted as an important step toward peace in the Central African nation of Congo, where conflict with more than 100 armed groups, the most potent backed by Rwanda, has killed millions since the 1990s. Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for armed

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of armed was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Armed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armed. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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
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
1
: having a weapon
an armed assailant
2
: involving the use of a weapon
an armed attack

More from Merriam-Webster on armed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!