armed forces

See synonyms for armed forces on Thesaurus.com
plural noun
  1. military, naval, and air forces, especially of a nation or of a number of nations.

Origin of armed forces

1
First recorded in 1685–95
  • Also called armed services.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use armed forces in a sentence

  • The regular troops, the constabulary, and other armed forces combined were unable to exterminate brigandage.

    The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
  • It is supposed never to have sustained an attack by armed forces and its present condition is due to neglect and decay.

  • I call on all loyal members of the armed forces to resist the mutineers actively, and to support their Commander.

    Greylorn | John Keith Laumer
  • Through the disputed land the armed forces marched; on, on, into the undisputed territory of the Indians.

    Four American Indians | Edson L. Whitney
  • The armed forces of both belligerents lie at the outset within their respective frontiers.

    Naval Warfare | James R. Thursfield

British Dictionary definitions for armed forces

armed forces

pl n
  1. the military forces of a nation or nations, including the army, navy, air force, marines, etc

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