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

Police departments across South Florida are reassuring the community Thursday night that their officers are on high alert following an armed attacker ramming his truck into one of the nation’s largest Reform synagogues in Michigan earlier in the day. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026

An armed suspect who barricaded himself in the parking garage of a children’s hospital in Dallas overnight Wednesday was fatally shot after pointing a gun at police officers, officials said. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026

Harris’El faces one count each of second-degree murder and armed criminal action, according to a criminal complaint filed in Jackson County court Tuesday. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026

By then, six armed agents were milling about the parking lot. —Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 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