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
Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Israeli attacks weakened Iran’s regional armed proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollahwhile US strikes dealt significant damage to the country’s nuclear program, which the government spent billions to develop.
—Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
The voluntary program allows local districts and private schools to train employees or hire armed specialists to respond to active threats.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
Last December, armed rebels previously aligned with terror groups finally ousted Assad from power after a 14 year civil war.
—Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for armed
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Adjective
President Daniel Noboa launched an armed campaign against gangs and declared states of emergency in several provinces, including Manabi, deploying the military to support police operations.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Israeli attacks weakened Iran’s regional armed proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollahwhile US strikes dealt significant damage to the country’s nuclear program, which the government spent billions to develop.
—Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
The voluntary program allows local districts and private schools to train employees or hire armed specialists to respond to active threats.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
Last December, armed rebels previously aligned with terror groups finally ousted Assad from power after a 14 year civil war.
—Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for armed
Cite this Entry
“Armed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armed. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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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