present arms

noun

pre·sent arms pri-ˈzent-

: a position in the manual of arms in which the rifle is held vertically in front of the body

: a command to assume the position of present arms or to give a hand salute

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The guards at Schönbrunn were forbidden to present arms and were instructed to look at the ground when her carriage passed. —

David Netto, Town & Country, 7 Aug. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'present arms.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.