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
New Delhi is expected to spend at least $200 billion in the coming decade to modernize its armed forces, according to a December report by the Congressional Research Service.
—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
European armed forces have long relied on superior U.S. logistics, air transport and other military capabilities.
—Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
There was no talk of regime change in Ukraine or of limiting Ukraine’s armed forces and their development.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
Germany now has the highest defense budget across Europe, surpassing the United Kingdom, as the continent rushes to pull up military spending and prepare for the United States to reel in its long-standing support for European armed forces.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for armed forces 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
European armed forces have long relied on superior U.S. logistics, air transport and other military capabilities.
—Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
There was no talk of regime change in Ukraine or of limiting Ukraine’s armed forces and their development.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
Germany now has the highest defense budget across Europe, surpassing the United Kingdom, as the continent rushes to pull up military spending and prepare for the United States to reel in its long-standing support for European armed forces.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for armed forces
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 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share