1
a
: furnished with weapons
an armed guard
also
: using or involving a weapon
b
: furnished with something that provides security, strength, or efficacy
armed with knowledge
2
: marked by the maintenance of armed forces in readiness
: having an arm or arms especially of a specified kind or number
—usually used in combination
long-armed
two-armed
Examples of armed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025
Christmas and Easter carry the same risks and so extra vigilance and a strong but discreet armed police presence is definitely warranted.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025
None of it turned out well—Afghanistan is back in the Taliban’s hands, Iraq is at best a corrupt kleptocracy where armed militias play an outsized role and Libya is split between competing authorities.
—Defense Priorities, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Knowing that anything less–collapse, chaos, or armed conflict—would put millions at risk in an already fragile region.
—Narges Mohammadi, Time, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for armed
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Adjective
He has since been charged with murder, assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
—Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025
Christmas and Easter carry the same risks and so extra vigilance and a strong but discreet armed police presence is definitely warranted.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025
None of it turned out well—Afghanistan is back in the Taliban’s hands, Iraq is at best a corrupt kleptocracy where armed militias play an outsized role and Libya is split between competing authorities.
—Defense Priorities, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Knowing that anything less–collapse, chaos, or armed conflict—would put millions at risk in an already fragile region.
—Narges Mohammadi, Time, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for armed
Cite this Entry
“Armed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armed. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
armed
adjective1
: having an arm or arms especially of a specified kind or number
—usually used in combination
long-armed
two-armed
2
: having a spiny rostellum
a tapeworm armed with numerous hammer-shaped hooks
Legal Definition
armed
adjective1
: having a weapon
an armed assailant
2
: involving the use of a weapon
an armed attack
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