Showing results for "arms"

• present tense form of arm (3rd person singular).

arms

British  

/ ɑːmz /

plural noun

1. weapons collectively See also small arms

2. military exploits

   prowess in arms

3. the official heraldic symbols of a family, state, etc, including a shield with distinctive devices, and often supports, a crest, or other insignia

4. 1. to carry weapons

   2. to serve in the armed forces

   3. to have a coat of arms

5. armed and prepared for war

6. to stop fighting; surrender

7. military

   1. 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

   2. the command for this drill

8. to prepare to fight

9. arm yourselves!

10. indignant; prepared to protest strongly

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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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

arms

At a press conference on Wednesday, Pike's lawyers said she was shackled to the bed and suffering from pneumonia, significant swelling on her arms, and was unable to swallow.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

Unusually for Vance on the campaign trail, he then went down to greet the crowd in person -- shaking hands, patting arms and meeting the lady with the black pro-Vance hat.

From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2026

With a cavitating roar, the CrossWave stood up on its tail, throwing Roz backward, her arms wrapped around my neck in a rear naked chokehold.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026

The illness is characterized by muscle rigidity in the torso, arms and legs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

At the stroke of 12:00 noon each day the arms dropped.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom