standing army
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of standing army
First recorded in 1595–1605
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Israel has a relatively small standing army and relies on its reservists during times of war.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2025
The opportunities for repression are boundless, which is one reason why the Framers were so hostile to the idea of a standing army responsible for domestic security.
From Slate ● Oct. 21, 2025
Sir Keir did not explain what he meant by a standing army.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2024
About the founders: Historians will tell you that when the Constitution was adopted, America had no significant standing army.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 2, 2023
This host her son had assembled was not a standing army such as the Free Cities were accustomed to maintain, nor a force of guardsmen paid in coin.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
