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call to arms

noun phrase

1
: a summons to engage in active hostilities
2
: a summons, invitation, or appeal to undertake a particular course of action
a political call to arms

Examples of call to arms in a Sentence

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.
This isn’t a call to arms, but rather an invitation for readiness. Steve Booren, Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2025 Yet, Longfellow, at the dawn of the Civil War, wrote of Revere’s journey as a call to arms, a rallying cry aimed at stirring patriotic sentiment among Northerners and a reminder that action by a single individual can matter. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025 Other leaders across the country appeared to heed this call to arms. Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025 As the full extent of the Oct. 7 carnage emerged, Silberg answered the call to arms. Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for call to arms

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of call to arms was in 1702

Cite this Entry

“Call to arms.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call%20to%20arms. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

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