Showing results for "arms"

• present tense form of arm (3rd person singular).

arms

British  

/ ɑːmz /

plural noun

1. weapons collectively See also small arms

2. military exploits

   prowess in arms

3. the official heraldic symbols of a family, state, etc, including a shield with distinctive devices, and often supports, a crest, or other insignia

4. 1. to carry weapons

   2. to serve in the armed forces

   3. to have a coat of arms

5. armed and prepared for war

6. to stop fighting; surrender

7. military

   1. a position of salute in which the rifle is brought up to a position vertically in line with the body, muzzle uppermost and trigger guard to the fore

   2. the command for this drill

8. to prepare to fight

9. arm yourselves!

10. indignant; prepared to protest strongly

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Etymology

Origin of arms

C13: from Old French armes, from Latin arma; see _arm ²

Explanation

Arms are weapons. If a rebel group starts acquiring arms, it becomes a clear threat to its opponents. If you hear references on the news to "the arms race" or "arms exports," you know the subject is guns, bombs, bullets, and other weapons and ammunition. Any country with an army has some quantity of arms that can be used for self defense or military actions. In 1300, it was armes, "weapons of a warrior," from the Latin arma, "weapons," and also "tools of war."

Example Sentences

In his 20s, he invented a bicycle powered by legs and arms to give riders an upper body workout and extra speed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 12, 2026

The significance became even clearer during Starship's fifth integrated flight test, when the returning Super Heavy booster was successfully caught in mid air by the giant mechanical arms of the launch tower.

From Science Daily • Jul. 11, 2026

It often affects skin between the fingers, around the wrists, under the arms and around the waist, groin and bottom.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2026

A growing sense of fatigue with the artificial intelligence trade and the related arms race is prompting one strategist to advise that investors stick with the so-called picks and shovels rather than the spenders.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 10, 2026

Frabwick folded his arms across his huge, furry chest.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman