armed forces

plural noun

: the combined military, naval, and air forces of a nation

called also armed services

Synonyms of armed forces

• troops
• soldiers

Examples of armed forces in a Sentence

our nation's armed forces are stationed throughout the world

Recent Examples on the Web

Questions persist about accountability and transparency in drone programs, particularly those operated covertly by intelligence agencies rather than traditional armed forces. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

Across the country — and much of the Gulf — there is a palpable sense of pride in how the armed forces blunted the damage from thousands of Iranian missile and drone strikes. —Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 7 May 2026

Plus, Travelocity grants an exclusive 4% cash back for armed forces military members. —Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 May 2026

The general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces said that Russia broke an Easter ceasefire with shelling last month, and the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukrainian forces of doing the same. —F. Brinley Bruton, NBC news, 4 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for armed forces

• reinforces
• watercourses
• courses
• horses
• sources
• discourses
• divorces
• endorses
• enforces
• indorses
• racehorses
• workforces

Kids Definition

armed forces

plural noun

: the military, naval, and air forces of a nation