arm
1the upper limb of the human body, especially the part extending from the shoulder to the wrist.
the upper limb from the shoulder to the elbow.
the forelimb of any vertebrate.
some part of an organism like or likened to an arm.
any armlike part or attachment, as the tone arm of a phonograph.
a covering for the arm, especially a sleeve of a garment: the arm of a coat.
an administrative or operational branch of an organization: A special arm of the government will investigate.
Nautical. any of the curved or bent pieces of an anchor, terminating in the flukes.
an armrest.
an inlet or cove: an arm of the sea.
a combat branch of the military service, as the infantry, cavalry, or field artillery.
support or protection: He had always been there when I needed a strong arm to lean on or a word of counsel.May you take comfort knowing she is in God's loving arms.
Typography. either of the extensions to the right of the vertical line of a K or upward from the vertical stem of a Y.
Idioms about arm
an arm and a leg, a great deal of money: Our night on the town cost us an arm and a leg.
arm in arm, with arms linked together or intertwined: They walked along arm in arm.
at arm's length, not on familiar or friendly terms; at a distance: He's the kind of person you pity but want to keep at arm's length.
in the arms of Morpheus, asleep: After a strenuous day, he was soon in the arms of Morpheus.
on the arm, Slang. free of charge; gratis: an investigation of policemen who ate lunch on the arm.
put the arm on, Slang.
to solicit or borrow money from: She put the arm on me for a generous contribution.
to use force or violence on; use strong-arm tactics on: If they don't cooperate, put the arm on them.
twist someone's arm, to use force or coercion on someone.
with open arms, cordially; with warm hospitality: a country that receives immigrants with open arms.
Origin of arm
1Other words for arm
Other words from arm
- armed, adjective
- armlike, adjective
Words that may be confused with arm
- alms, arms
Words Nearby arm
Other definitions for arm (2 of 6)
Usually arms . weapons, especially firearms.
arms, Heraldry. the escutcheon, with its divisions, charges, and tinctures, and the other components forming an achievement that symbolizes and is reserved for a person, family, or corporate body; armorial bearings; coat of arms.
to enter into a state of hostility or of readiness for war.
to equip with weapons: to arm the troops.
to activate (a fuze) so that it will explode the charge at the time desired.
to cover protectively.
to provide with whatever will add strength, force, or security; support; fortify: He was armed with statistics and facts.
to equip or prepare for any specific purpose or effective use: to arm a security system; to arm oneself with persuasive arguments.
to prepare for action; make fit; ready.
Origin of arm
2Other words for arm
Opposites for arm
Other words from arm
- armless, adjective
Other definitions for Arm (3 of 6)
Other definitions for ARM (4 of 6)
adjustable-rate mortgage.
Other definitions for Arm. (5 of 6)
Armenian.
Armorican.
Other definitions for Ar.M. (6 of 6)
Master of Architecture.
Origin of Ar.M.
6Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use arm in a sentence
On Tuesday, Team8, a Tel Aviv- and New York-based venture group backed by Microsoft, Walmart, Barclays, and Moodys, announced that Russak-Aminoach will be one of the leaders of its new arm, Team8 Fintech.
She was one of the world’s few female bank CEOs. Now she’s founding a fintech venture group | Claire Zillman, reporter | September 15, 2020 | FortuneWith its $40-billion acquisition of arm from a faltering SoftBank, Nvidia will compete on every important semiconductor application in the technology landscape.
With advances in weaponry, destructive Minié bullets and a lack of surgical experience among doctors, many Civil War soldiers with leg or arm wounds required amputation.
Times of strife can lead to medical innovation—when governments are willing | By Jeffrey Clemens/The Conversation | September 9, 2020 | Popular-ScienceIn 2016, Facebook expanded the network to include mobile websites, but shut down the web arm of the service in April this year.
Facebook says ‘technical issue’ caused its ads to appear on publisher websites without their permission | Lara O'Reilly | September 9, 2020 | DigidayPeople afflicted with SIRVA can require painful surgeries to recover and may lose use of their arms for months or years.
Gutting this federal program could undermine Americans’ confidence in a COVID vaccine | jakemeth | September 6, 2020 | Fortune
At St. Barnabas Hospital, Pellerano was listed in stable condition with wounds to his chest and arm.
The big slug happened to hit the suspect in the street, passing through his arm and then striking Police Officer Andrew Dossi.
Dossi initially was listed in critical condition with wounds to his arm and lower back.
She is wearing a crop top, and Andrew has his arm wrapped around her waist.
Buckingham Palace Disputes Sex Allegations Against Prince ‘Randy Andy’ | Tom Sykes | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTWomen want a hot, young thing to parade around on their arm, too.
Career-Minded Women Turn to Male Escorts For No-Strings Fun and (Maybe) Sex | Aurora Snow | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTShe was holding the back of her chair with one hand; her loose sleeve had slipped almost to the shoulder of her uplifted arm.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinIn Spain he was regarded as the right arm of the ultra-clericals and a possible supporter of Carlism.
The Philippine Islands | John ForemanGrandmamma sits in her quaint arm-chair— Never was lady more sweet and fair!
She looked up in his face, leaning on his arm beneath the encircling shadow of the umbrella which he had lifted.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinBut the strength of his arm, and the bravery of his heart could not have defended him long against their determined attack.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane Porter
British Dictionary definitions for arm (1 of 4)
/ (ɑːm) /
(in man) either of the upper limbs from the shoulder to the wrist: Related adjective: brachial
the part of either of the upper limbs from the elbow to the wrist; forearm
the corresponding limb of any other vertebrate
an armlike appendage of some invertebrates
an object that covers or supports the human arm, esp the sleeve of a garment or the side of a chair, sofa, etc
anything considered to resemble an arm in appearance, position, or function, esp something that branches out from a central support or larger mass: an arm of the sea; the arm of a record player
an administrative subdivision of an organization: an arm of the government
power; authority: the arm of the law
any of the specialist combatant sections of a military force, such as cavalry, infantry, etc
nautical See yardarm
sport, esp ball games ability to throw or pitch: he has a good arm
an arm and a leg informal a large amount of money
arm in arm with arms linked
at arm's length at a distance; away from familiarity with or subjection to another
give one's right arm informal to be prepared to make any sacrifice
in the arms of Morpheus sleeping
with open arms with great warmth and hospitality: to welcome someone with open arms
(tr) archaic to walk arm in arm with
Origin of arm
1Derived forms of arm
- armless, adjective
- armlike, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for arm (2 of 4)
/ (ɑːm) /
to equip with weapons as a preparation for war
to provide (a person or thing) with something that strengthens, protects, or increases efficiency: he armed himself against the cold
to activate (a fuse) so that it will explode at the required time
to prepare (an explosive device) for use by introducing a fuse or detonator
nautical to pack arming into (a sounding lead)
(usually plural) a weapon, esp a firearm
Origin of arm
2- See also arms
British Dictionary definitions for ARM (3 of 4)
adjustable rate mortgage
British Dictionary definitions for Arm. (4 of 4)
Armenia(n)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with arm
In addition to the idioms beginning with arm
- arm and a leg
- armed to the teeth
- arm in arm
also see:
- at arm's length
- babe in arms
- forewarned is forearmed
- give one's eyeteeth (right arm)
- long arm of the law
- one-armed bandit
- put the arm on
- shot in the arm
- take up arms
- talk someone's arm off
- twist someone's arm
- up in arms
- with one arm tied behind
- with open arms
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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