- 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.
“Mother Night! Fold your dark arms about me. Protect me in your black embrace!”
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026
Noah Brier gets us up to speed on the state of artificial intelligence right now; from the A.I. arms race with China to the probability that we are all doomed.
From Slate ● Aug. 26, 2026
Her arms today are as colorful as Ruby’s notebooks: a collage of her favorite animals and objects, reproductions of her drawings, flowers in the shape of her handprint.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
Former Tottenham and Nottingham Forest boss Postegoclou said Ronaldo, who spread his arms in a questioning gesture towards the bench when he was substituted, was taken off as part of a different tactical approach.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
Trembling, I throw my arms about Caesar and press my face against his chest.
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
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.
