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
Harry Law, Time, 5 June 2025
His comments on social media were the first public acknowledgment of Israel’s backing of armed Palestinian groups within Gaza, based around powerful families.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
The group touted its distribution sites, with high fences and armed guards, as a way to prevent theft while getting food to Palestinians.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Libya has been entangled in a political crisis since the overthrow of longtime dictator Gaddafi in 2011, which led to the proliferation of armed groups across the country.
—Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for armed
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Adjective
In the context of armed conflict, things get even muddier.
—Harry Law, Time, 5 June 2025
His comments on social media were the first public acknowledgment of Israel’s backing of armed Palestinian groups within Gaza, based around powerful families.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
The group touted its distribution sites, with high fences and armed guards, as a way to prevent theft while getting food to Palestinians.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Libya has been entangled in a political crisis since the overthrow of longtime dictator Gaddafi in 2011, which led to the proliferation of armed groups across the country.
—Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for armed
Cite this Entry
“Armed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armed. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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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