armed forces

plural noun

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

called also armed services

Examples of armed forces in a Sentence

our nation's armed forces are stationed throughout the world
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.
Potential personnel moves All eyes will also be on any personnel changes that could take place this week, including potential appointments to the powerful Central Military Commission, which oversees China’s 2 million-strong armed forces. Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025 Critics said Trump had pushed for the extravagant parade not to commemorate the armed forces, but as a display of his own vanity. NPR, 19 Oct. 2025 Boots works hard to insist that while there might be a few bad apples along the way, there’s noble work to be done in the armed forces. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025 The conflict erupted in April 2023 when a vicious power struggle boiled over between leaders of Sudan’s armed forces and its powerful Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for armed forces

Word History

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of armed forces was in 1572

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Armed forces.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armed%20forces. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

armed forces

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

More from Merriam-Webster on armed forces

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