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.
He argued the armed forces must return to what he described as a more disciplined, combat-focused identity centered on what he called a “warrior ethos.”
From Salon • May 24, 2026
Iran has insisted that vessels must obtain permission from its armed forces.
From Barron's • May 24, 2026
At the time, Raúl was Cuba's armed forces minister and one of the most powerful figures in his brother's regime.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
Its main pillars are the Interior Ministry, the armed forces and the Communist Party, which are highly united.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
There was a possibility, I thought, because Grandma told me that former President Truman had put African-American and white soldiers together in the armed forces during his term.
From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals
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.
