armed

1 of 2

adjective (1)

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
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Adjective
Survivors and their families are often unwilling or unable to come forward due to challenges accessing services, along with fears of stigma, rejection by their family or community and retribution from armed groups. Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 Experts say such calls are not just disruptive but also dangerous, as law enforcement officers respond to areas believing an armed confrontation could occur. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025 Mazhar Chandio / Anadolu via Getty Images The Baloch Liberation Army, an armed ethnic group that has waged a yearslong insurgency against the Pakistani government, claimed responsibility for the attack. Mushtaq Yusufzai, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025 Julani has ordered all armed groups in the country to disarm, including the SDF. Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for armed

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of armed was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Armed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armed. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

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
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
1
: having a weapon
an armed assailant
2
: involving the use of a weapon
an armed attack

More from Merriam-Webster on armed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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