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armed forces
plural noun
: the combined military, naval, and air forces of a nation
called also armed services
Examples of armed forces in a Sentence
our nation's armed forces are stationed throughout the world
Recent Examples on the Web
The ongoing turmoil in the upper ranks of the military comes as Xi is seeking to make China’s armed forces stronger, more combat-ready and more aggressive in asserting its disputed territorial claims in the region.
—Steven Jiang, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024
Phelan, if confirmed, would be the first person in 15 years to lead the Navy without having served in any branch of the armed forces.
—Melissa Chan, NBC News, 27 Nov. 2024
October marked the highest monthly Russian casualty figures of the war, the head of the British armed forces, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, told the BBC on November 10.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
As Russian forces press their attacks all along the 800-mile front line of Russia’s 33-month wider war on Ukraine, a new recruit in the Russian armed forces has a one-month life expectancy after signing his contract, according to Estonian analyst Artur Rehi.
—David Axe, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1572, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near armed forces
Cite this Entry
“Armed forces.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armed%20forces. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
armed forces
plural noun
: the military, naval, and air forces of a nation
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