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

The new Congress can demonstrate its commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities by providing ordinary legislative oversight in the raising, maintaining, and equipping of the armed forces. — Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026

Qalibaf also warned that Iran's armed forces remained at the highest level of defensive readiness. — Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026

Falcon is an innovative, affordable, and reusable supersonic aerial target designed to support the increasingly sophisticated missile defence training required by the armed forces. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

Thousands of European troops will take part in a military exercise in Poland this month to prepare for a hypothetical postwar mission in Ukraine to boost the country’s economy and rebuild its armed forces. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 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