- present tense form of arm (3rd person singular).
arms
Britishplural noun
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weapons collectively See also small arms
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military exploits
prowess in arms
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the official heraldic symbols of a family, state, etc, including a shield with distinctive devices, and often supports, a crest, or other insignia
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to carry weapons
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to serve in the armed forces
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to have a coat of arms
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armed and prepared for war
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to stop fighting; surrender
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military
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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
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the command for this drill
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to prepare to fight
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arm yourselves!
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indignant; prepared to protest strongly
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."
Vocabulary lists containing arms
Unit 7, Week 1
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Vocabulary from Readings 3, Unit 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Initially, the idea was just to have a huge warehouse with robot arms collecting lots of data autonomously,” co-founder Alexander Koch told me over a video call.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Ohtani turned to the Dodgers’ dugout, spread his arms wide and tossed his bat to the side.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Other episodes carried messages about censorship, conformity and the Cold War arms race.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
The character of Lisa Molinari has undergone a transformation from the original Marvel comic book character - known as Coat of Arms - who gains extra arms and weapons from a mystical coat.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
Clare crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
