armed forces

plural noun

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of armed forces

: the combined military, naval, and air forces of a nation — called also armed services

Recent Examples of armed forces from the Web

No one knows how the armed forces would respond to an imposition of dictatorship.

— The Economist, "Time is running out for Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega," 9 June 2018
The monarch is technically the head of Britain's armed forces, and would traditionally lead an army into war.

— laura smith-spark, CNN, "Duke and Duchess of Sussex join Queen's birthday parade," 9 June 2018
After armed forces began firing on protesters, the university students demanded the resignation of President Daniel Ortega and his wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo.

— kyra gurney, miamiherald, "Nicaragua university students under attack as they lead political uprising against Ortega," 8 June 2018
In retaliation against the White House’s comments on the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela, Maduro ordered the Venezuelan armed forces to hold exercises.

— Houston Chronicle, "Venezuela frees 2 Chevron employees arrested in April," 7 June 2018
But on Monday, Pakistan’s military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told reporters the armed forces weren’t involved in domestic politics and refuted claims of media censorship.

— ismail dilawar, Bloomberg.com, "Ex-Cricketer Imran Khan Woos Pakistan's Turncoat Politicians," 6 June 2018
And to add to this burden, 1 out of every 25 North Koreans serves in the armed forces.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "Why North Korea may be primed for a deal," 6 June 2018
Was matched by that of the armed forces of the nations that fought by our side..

— gina martinez, Time, "Georgia Congressman Tweets D-Day Tribute Featuring Nazi Troops," 6 June 2018
Trump has mocked protesters over the last two years, repeatedly saying the players should show respect for the flag and armed forces by standing.

— brian flood, Fox News, "CNN star Don Lemon wants more outbursts during WH press briefings after April Ryan ‘rudely’ shouts out," 6 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'armed forces.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.