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
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Adjective
The country has faced years of bloodshed from Boko Haram militants and armed bandits, whose motives are often linked more to territorial control and ransom than to religion. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025 Other videos show armed RSF fighters driving through large swaths of land, apparently hunting civilians who are attempting to flee. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025 He was sentenced to 17 years for armed kidnapping and 17 years for armed burglary with assault or battery. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025 An armed man was shot and killed Monday night by Denver police officers while attempting to rob a gas station, according to the agency. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 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 3 Nov. 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
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