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

Example Sentences

We are living through an arms race that is pushing countries to devote ever larger shares of their budgets to armaments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

In midair she manages to turn herself 180 degrees before being caught by her partner, despite her momentum seeming to drift into his arms like a feather blown by a breeze.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Watching women fight off the arms of the occult has a clock on it.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

"The laying down of arms by militant actors would represent a decisive break from cycles of violence that have defined life in Gaza for decades," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

I felt for my bathrobe and thrust my arms through the sleeves as I whirled down the stairs.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom