army

American  

[ahr-mee] / ˈɑr mi /

noun

plural

armies

1. the military forces of a nation, exclusive of the navy and in some countries the air force.

2. (in large military land forces) a unit consisting typically of two or more corps and a headquarters.

3. a large body of persons trained and armed for war.

4. any body of persons organized for any purpose.

   an army of census takers.

5. a very large number or group of something; a great multitude; a host.

   the army of the unemployed.

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army British  

/ ˈɑːmɪ /

noun

1. the military land forces of a nation

2. a military unit usually consisting of two or more corps with supporting arms and services

3. (modifier) of, relating to, or characteristic of an army

   army rations

4. any large body of people united for some specific purpose

5. a large number of people, animals, etc; multitude

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Other Word Forms

• proarmy adjective

Etymology

Origin of army

1350–1400; Middle English armee < Middle French < Latin armāta. Armada

Example Sentences

Zhang joined the army at the age of 18 and moved up the ranks in a regiment headquartered in southwestern Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

From Barron's

The Founders worried that the U.S. could be undermined by a powerful standing army.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Battle of Isandlwana, fought during the Anglo-Zulu war, is something many Zulus wear like a badge of honour: they fought against a foreign army and won - the foreigners were cowed.

From BBC

Gentzen, a serving member in the Australian army, began to tire in round five and sustained a cut to her right cheek when a looping left landed flush.

From BBC

The tie as an accessory is thought to date back to the 17th century when the French copied a neckscarf from Croatian mercenaries fighting on behalf of Louis XIV's army.

From Barron's

Related Words

• artillery
• battalion
• command
• company
• corps
• infantry
• squad
• troops