armed

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈärmd 

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

armed

2 of 2

adjective (2)

: 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

Adjective

An armed man was killed in a shooting by Fremont police on Friday afternoon, according to a Fremont Police Department news release. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 25 July 2026

An armed Hudson barricaded himself and his mother inside her apartment after deputies responded to the second call for help before shooting Hayes four times, killing her. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026

The precise impact of any individual funding reduction is difficult to quantify because the Ebola outbreak and its spread has been influenced by many factors, including political turmoil, armed conflict and mistrust in healthcare workers. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026

An armed settler approaches two Palestinian men, apparently trying to use his rifle to push them away. — Abeer Salman, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Middle English, from past participle of armen "to arm entry 2"

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective (2)

1500, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing armed

• armed and dangerous
• armed forces
• armed robbery
• armed to the teeth
• heavily armed
• one-armed bandit

Rhymes for armed

• alarmed
• disarmed
• unarmed
• unharmed
• charmed
• farmed
• harmed

Kids Definition

armed

adjective

1

: furnished with weapons

an armed guard

2

: furnished with something that provides security or strength

armed with knowledge

Medical Definition

armed

adjective

ˈärmd 

1

: 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

adjective

ˈärmd 

1

: having a weapon

an armed assailant

2

: involving the use of a weapon

an armed attack