armed forces
Americanplural noun
plural noun
Etymology
Origin of armed forces
First recorded in 1685–95
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.
The exercise, which runs for 11 days, is a regular summer fixture for South Korea's armed forces and their US allies, designed to steel them for defense against the nuclear-armed North.
From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026
William wants to follow in the footsteps of family members by joining the armed forces and some of his friends signed up at 16.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
The "Ulchi Freedom Shield" exercise is a regular summer fixture for South Korea's armed forces and their US allies, designed to steel them for defence against the nuclear-armed North.
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has been beefing up Tokyo’s armed forces with new weapons and capabilities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
When word of the German action reached the Russian capital, Czar Nicholas, after much hesitation, ordered the full mobilization of Russia’s armed forces.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
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.
