unarmed

play

adjective un·armed \ ˌən-ˈärmd \

Definition of unarmed

1 :not armed or armored

unarmed civilians

; also :not using or involving a weapon

unarmed robbery

2 :having no hard and sharp projections (such as spines, spurs, or claws)

See unarmed defined for English-language learners

See unarmed defined for kids

Recent Examples of unarmed from the Web

The Associated Press and CNN filmed the flight, which the Pentagon said was conducted by unarmed aircraft equipped with film and sensors.

— bart jansen, USA TODAY, "Russian military jet buzzes Washington, surveilling rather than threatening the capital," 10 Aug. 2017
In 2015, two-thirds of unarmed people of any race killed by police had been in the process of committing violent crime or property destruction.

— nick selby, National Review, "Police Aren’t Targeting and Killing Black Men," 17 July 2017
An unarmed, 40-year-old woman was fatally shot by a Minneapolis police officer.

— robert newhouse, Teen Vogue, "James Comey Is Reportedly Writing a Book," 17 July 2017
The images show a man in Iraqi army fatigues gunning down an unarmed man kneeling in front of a car.

— susannah george, The Seattle Times, "Videos appear to show Iraqi troops killing Mosul detainees," 13 July 2017
But between 1950 and the 1992 riots, the commission rarely had the stomach to challenge the department, despite appalling numbers of unarmed civilians being killed by officers too quick to pull the trigger or to apply choke holds using their batons.

— joe domanick, Los Angeles Magazine, "How the Police Commission Got the LAPD to Buy Into De-Escalation," 13 July 2017
The family of an unarmed man shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy after a pursuit last week in Vista sat down Thursday with a sheriff’s captain, demanding a thorough investigation into the shooting.

— teri figueroa, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Family of man shot by deputy meets with sheriff's captain," 13 July 2017
In the bathroom, Morva knocked the deputy unconscious, took his gun and then shot McFarland, the unarmed security guard.

— the washington post, AL.com, "Virginia governor rejects clemency for William C. Morva, inmate facing execution tonight," 6 July 2017
Exactly one week before, Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson had killed Michael Brown, an unarmed, black teenager.

— cody delistraty, Longreads, "Building a World of Acceptance: A Conversation with DeRay Mckesson," 5 July 2017

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

First Known Use of unarmed

14th century

UNARMED Defined for English Language Learners

unarmed

play

adjective

Definition of unarmed for English Language Learners

: not having a weapon : not armed
: not using or involving a weapon

UNARMED Defined for Kids

unarmed

play

adjective un·armed \ ˌən-ˈärmd \

Definition of unarmed for Students

:having no weapons or armor

Medical Dictionary

unarmed

play

adjective un·armed \ ˌən-ˈärmd \

medical Definition of unarmed

:having no arms or armlike projections

an unarmed tapeworm

Learn More about unarmed

Spanish Central: Translation of unarmed Nglish: Translation of unarmed for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of unarmed for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up unarmed? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

unarmed

Definition of unarmed

Recent Examples of unarmed from the Web

First Known Use of unarmed

UNARMED Defined for English Language Learners

unarmed

Definition of unarmed for English Language Learners

UNARMED Defined for Kids

unarmed

Definition of unarmed for Students

Medical Dictionary

unarmed

medical Definition of unarmed

Learn More about unarmed

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

shofar

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Silent Letters

'So Long': A Common But Mysterious Goodbye

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

True or False?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Words of the Year: 1066

unarmed

Definition of unarmed

Explore Merriam-Webster

Recent Examples of unarmed from the Web

First Known Use of unarmed

UNARMED Defined for English Language Learners

unarmed

Definition of unarmed for English Language Learners

UNARMED Defined for Kids

unarmed

Definition of unarmed for Students

Medical Dictionary

unarmed

medical Definition of unarmed

Learn More about unarmed

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Words of the Year: 1066