standing army

noun

1. a permanently organized military force maintained by a nation.

standing army

noun

1. a permanent army of paid soldiers maintained by a nation

Word History and Origins

Origin of standing army¹

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

Despite the Founders’ concerns about the tyrannical potential of a standing army, the danger of invasion by foreign armies meant professional soldiers were necessary to defend the country.

From Washington Post

We will come in numbers that no standing army or police agency can match.

From ProPublica

Above all, he was amazed to hear me talk of a mercenary standing army in the midst of peace and among a free people.

From Project Gutenberg

From such evils, it was said, no country could be secure which was cursed with a standing army.

From Project Gutenberg

But before the Revolution our ancestors had known a standing army only as an instrument of lawless power.

From Project Gutenberg

The parliamentary conflict on the great question of a standing army was preceded by a literary conflict.

From Project Gutenberg

He declared therefore that he abhorred the thought of a standing army.

From Project Gutenberg