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

She puts her tiny arms around his neck.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Standing in front of the post office in Alhambra, the 52-year-old paddled her arms as though to keep from sinking.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

“She made a beeline for me and sort of opened her arms and said, ‘I love…’ And I thought she was going to say, ‘your performance,’ because we were at the premiere party.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

Then, they’ll cover Trump’s visit to China and what it could mean for the US-China power balance, particularly within the AI arms race.

From Slate • May 16, 2026

Wolf jumped out of his arms, falling over his paws in his eagerness to reach the water.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver