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

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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

“Elevated mortgage rates have pushed home shoppers straight into the arms of rentals,” Kara Ng, a senior economist at Zillow, said in the report.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 17, 2026

Ohtani turned to the Dodgers’ dugout, spread his arms wide and tossed his bat to the side.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Kyiv relies on the U.S. for spare parts, maintenance, software upgrades and arms for the U.S.-made aircraft.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Megaraptorans were closely related to tyrannosaurs including Tyrannosaurus rex but had slender heads and attacked prey with their large arms and giant curved claws instead of their jaws.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

I count three Mississippis before I risk another peek, only to find that he’s still looking at me, and electric sparks race up and down my arms, like a bunch of tiny firecrackers exploding.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

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