armed forces

plural noun

Synonyms of armed forcesnext
: 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.
The fall of the ayatollah could empower the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, a powerful branch of Iran’s security apparatus that operates independently of the nation’s armed forces. Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026 Formed in 1979 in the aftermath of Iran’s Islamic revolution, the IRGC operates separately from the rest of the Iranian armed forces and has its own army, navy, air force, intelligence and special forces branches. Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026 Despite pressure from the armed forces, suspects are tried in civilian court. Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Jan. 2026 The holiday, held annually in November, honors members of the armed forces who died in service. Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Armed forces.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armed%20forces. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

armed forces

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

More from Merriam-Webster on armed forces

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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