army
Americannoun
plural
armies-
the military forces of a nation, exclusive of the navy and in some countries the air force.
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(in large military land forces) a unit consisting typically of two or more corps and a headquarters.
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a large body of persons trained and armed for war.
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any body of persons organized for any purpose.
an army of census takers.
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a very large number or group of something; a great multitude; a host.
the army of the unemployed.
noun
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the military land forces of a nation
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a military unit usually consisting of two or more corps with supporting arms and services
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(modifier) of, relating to, or characteristic of an army
army rations
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any large body of people united for some specific purpose
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a large number of people, animals, etc; multitude
Other Word Forms
- proarmy adjective
Etymology
Origin of army
1350–1400; Middle English armee < Middle French < Latin armāta. Armada
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.
A nation worth defending isn’t merely one strong enough to field an army, but one prosperous enough to reward work, invention and ambition.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
In the end, Bogart’s character, Rick Blaine, has no choice but to give up his love, his past and his future to continue the fight against a German army hot in pursuit.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
Pitchford said he unsuccessfully tried to leave the army twice, before telling a forces doctor that he was gay to try to get a medical discharge as a last resort.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
Michael Pitchford, 78, from Rottingdean, claims he was pressurised into paying £250 to finish his army contract early, so does not qualify for a Dismissed and Discharged Payment of £50,000.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
When the war started, the army brought Mr. Skevington in to train the birds as carrier pigeons.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
