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

“She was born under a full moon in the arms of mother nature. The jaguars taught her to run, the birds to fly,” her intro video intoned.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

The U.S. arms industry, in particular, could lose out potential orders.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

I’d flown 35 hours to be here, playing Frogger with San Salvador traffic, dodging motorbikes, arms already open for a hug I’d been planning for years.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

In hospital, with her arms wrapped in bandages, Bethany Norman held onto her baby son.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Oslak pushed through to them, with the bag containing Wolf in his arms.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver