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
Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
Some examples: LaGrange allows officers the option of shoot-to-incapacitate an armed attacker instead of aiming for more lethal center mass, the U.S. standard.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2024
Overland Park police responded to the 8500 block of West 85th Street at Greenbrier Condominiums on reports of an armed disturbance.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2024
Those problems include a surge in violence by armed gang members who on Monday set an armored police vehicle on fire, injuring a police officer.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for armed 
Adjective
The flag has been used by right-wing groups, including militia groups that have been linked to armed stand-offs with federal authorities.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
Some examples: LaGrange allows officers the option of shoot-to-incapacitate an armed attacker instead of aiming for more lethal center mass, the U.S. standard.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2024
Overland Park police responded to the 8500 block of West 85th Street at Greenbrier Condominiums on reports of an armed disturbance.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2024
Those problems include a surge in violence by armed gang members who on Monday set an armored police vehicle on fire, injuring a police officer.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for armed
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'armed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near armed
Cite this Entry
“Armed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armed. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
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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