armed forces

American  

plural noun

1. military, naval, and air forces, especially of a nation or of a number of nations.

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armed forces British  

plural noun

1. the military forces of a nation or nations, including the army, navy, air force, marines, etc

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Etymology

Origin of armed forces

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

The heightened defence posture at RAF Akrotiri will inevitably stretch the UK's already strained armed forces.

From BBC

A longtime security hawk, she has big plans to beef up Japan’s armed forces with new weapons and capabilities.

From The Wall Street Journal

As head of Germany's armed forces he's the most powerful, and arguably the most important, soldier in Europe.

From BBC

“No armed forces are prepared for this challenge, not the Americans and not the Europeans,” said Pavlo Klimkin, a former Ukrainian foreign minister.

From The Wall Street Journal

You also have to live in the UK or be a member of the armed forces, or a so-called Crown servant who works abroad.

From BBC

Related Words

• military
• troops