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
Van Hollen was stopped by armed guards at a military checkpoint earlier on April 17, less than two miles from the notorious prison where the Maryland man is being held. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025 Courtesy of Netflix Around 5:30 p.m. local time, an armed man dressed in camouflage gear entered the store and took a 44-year-old Bulgarian man hostage while other customers attempted to hide. Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 Apr. 2025 Harris was initially also charged with three counts of armed criminal action, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of tampering with a motor vehicle, according to court records. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025 The facility is surrounded by electrified fences, 19 watchtowers, and patrolled by 1,000 armed guards, police, and soldiers. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 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 21 Apr. 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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