armed forces
armed forces
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling:
/ˌɑːrmd ˈfɔːrsɪz/ (American English) /ˌɑːmd ˈfɔːsɪz/ (British English)
Syllable Breakdown:
armed /ɑːrmd/ or /ɑːmd/
arm-: /ɑːrm/ or /ɑːm/ (as in the "ar" sound in "car" followed by "m")
-ed: /d/ (a soft "d" sound, often assimilated with the preceding "m" or silent)
for-ces /ˈfɔːrsɪz/ or /ˈfɔːsɪz/
for-: /fɔːr/ or /fɔː/ (as in the "or" sound in "door")
-ces: /sɪz/ (as in the "siz" sound in "sizes")
Word Form Variations
"Armed forces" is primarily used as a plural noun.
Singular (less common, usually refers to a specific branch): armed force (e.g., "the armed force of the nation," though "military force" is more common)
Plural: armed forces (most common usage)
Related terms:
armed (adjective)
army (noun)
navy (noun)
air force (noun)
marines (noun)
military (noun, adjective)
serviceman/servicewoman (noun)
troops (noun)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: The official military organization of a nation, comprising its army, navy, air force, and often marine corps, responsible for national defense, security, and the projection of power.
Synonyms: military, armed services, defense forces, troops, soldiery, service, fighting forces
Antonyms: civilians, noncombatants, populace, citizenry
Definition: The collective body of individuals who are members of a country's military branches, dedicated to upholding national interests, security, and engaging in warfare or peacekeeping operations as directed by the government.
Synonyms: soldiers, servicemen, servicewomen, personnel, combatants
Antonyms: civilians, non-military personnel
Examples of Use
In Books:
"The memoir details his harrowing experiences serving with the armed forces during the Vietnam War, offering a raw and personal perspective on the conflict." (From a review of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, often discussed in literary analysis.)
"Chapter five meticulously analyzes the budgetary allocations to the nation's armed forces over the past decade, highlighting shifts in defense spending priorities." (From The Economics of War and Peace by a prominent political economist, January 2023)
Numerous fictional works, particularly in the military fiction genre, feature "armed forces" prominently. For example, Tom Clancy's novels, such as Red Storm Rising (August 1986), often depict large-scale engagements involving modern armed forces.
In Newspapers:
"The President deployed additional units of the armed forces to the disputed border region following escalating tensions." (Reported in The New York Times, May 2025)
"A recent poll indicates a significant increase in public support for the nation's armed forces amidst ongoing global crises." (Featured in The Guardian, April 2025)
"Lao armed forces say reports of 'clash with Cambodian armed personnel' are false." (Global Times, July 2025)
"The US Army drops into Australia for massive war games." (Military Times, July 2025)
In Online Publications:
"Analysts debate the strategic implications of the recent technological advancements for various armed forces around the world." (Published on Foreign Affairs online, June 2025)
"The Ministry of Defence announced new recruitment initiatives aimed at attracting diverse talent to the armed forces." (Reported on BBC News online, February 2025)
"Air Force Global Strike Boss: Second B-21 to Fly 'Shortly'." (Air & Space Forces Magazine, July 2025)
Kenya's Ministry of Defence publishes "Majeshi Yetu Magazines" online, with titles like "Majeshi Yetu Volume 23: An Exclusive Kenya Navy Edition," often discussing the activities and well-being of the Kenyan armed forces. (Ministry of Defence – Kenya, various editions)
In Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: Movies like Top Gun: Maverick (May 2022) showcase the skills and operations of naval aviation within the armed forces. Documentaries such as Restrepo (June 2010) offer a ground-level view of soldiers serving in the armed forces.
Television Series: Shows like SEAL Team (September 2017 - present) depict the highly specialized operations of an elite unit within the U.S. armed forces.
Video Games: Many popular video game franchises, such as Call of Duty (October 2003 - present) and Battlefield (September 2002 - present), simulate combat scenarios involving modern armed forces units and equipment.
Music: Patriotic songs and anthems often pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the armed forces. For instance, various national anthems or military marching songs frequently reference the "armed forces" or their equivalents.
Social Media: Official accounts for military branches (e.g., U.S. Army, Royal Navy) on platforms like TikTok and Instagram regularly post content showcasing training, daily life, and the camaraderie within the armed forces, often to aid recruitment efforts.
In General Public Discourse:
During national holidays or remembrance days, speeches by politicians and public figures frequently honor the men and women of the armed forces for their service and sacrifice. (Observed annually during Veterans Day in the U.S. or Remembrance Day in the UK)
Discussions on defense budgets, international peacekeeping missions, or geopolitical conflicts in news talk shows and public forums often revolve around the capabilities and deployment of a nation's armed forces. (Common in global news commentary, e.g., CNN, Al Jazeera, ongoing)
Veterans' organizations often advocate for the welfare of former members of the armed forces, bringing their needs and experiences into public conversation. (Ongoing advocacy by organizations like the American Legion or Royal British Legion)
10 Famous Quotes Using Armed Forces
"Do not forget that the armed forces are the servants of the people." (Muhammad Ali Jinnah)
"My heroes are those who risk their lives every day to protect our world and make it a better place - police, firefighters and members of our armed forces." (Sidney Sheldon)
"Freedom does not come without a price; all liberties we enjoy in America have been earned through the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many of the members of our armed forces." (Charlie Dent)
"History has taught us over and over again that freedom is not free; when push comes to shove, the ultimate protectors of freedom and liberty are the brave men and women in our armed forces." (Tim Pawlenty)
"I have great respect and understanding for military commitment due to my own family's involvement with the armed forces." (Carolyn Murphy)
"I extend my deepest gratitude to our Armed Forces and first responders serving both at home and abroad in the war against terrorism." (John Doolittle)
"We must never forget why we have, and why we need our military: Our armed forces exist solely to ensure our nation is safe, so that each and every one of us can sleep soundly at night, knowing we have 'guardians at the gate'." (Allen W1est)
"It's very important for us as a group of Navy SEALs, to make sure that the message that we send to the country is that we're ready to serve any commander in chief, the elected head of the armed forces, that the people of the United States elect." (Eric Greitens)
"The Japanese government has accepted the notion that Japan is the loser, and it appears to be going to accept unconditional surrender; such a position frustrates the officers and soldiers of the imperial armed forces." (Hideki 2Tojo)
"To demilitarize the country means to make a profound decision; it is not enough to change the name of the armed forces." (Óscar Arias)
Etymology
The term "armed forces" is a combination of two older words, "armed" and "forces," each with its own history.
Let's break them down:
Armed: This word comes from the Old French word "armer," which meant "to provide weapons to" or "to take up arms." This, in turn, came from the Latin word "armare," meaning "to furnish with arms." The ultimate root is from the Latin "arma," meaning "weapons" or "tools of war." So, "armed" basically means "equipped with weapons."
Forces: This word traces back to the Old French word "force," which itself came from the Latin word "fortia," meaning "strength" or "power." So, "forces" in this context refers to a group that possesses strength or power, particularly in a military sense.
When these two words came together as "armed forces," they specifically referred to a nation's military power. The earliest known use of the combined term "armed forces" in English dates back to 1572. At that time, its meaning was consistent with how we understand it today: the military, naval, and sometimes air forces of a nation, acting as a collective body for defense or offense. It essentially means "a body of armed people or groups used for military purposes."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Armed Forces
"Do not forget that the armed forces are the servants of the people." (Muhammad Ali Jinnah)
"My heroes are those who risk their lives every day to protect our world and make it a better place - police, firefighters and members of our armed forces." (Sidney Sheldon)
"Freedom does not come without a price; all liberties we enjoy in America have been earned through the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many of the members of our armed forces." (Charlie Dent)
"History has taught us over and over again that freedom is not free; when push comes to shove, the ultimate protectors of freedom and liberty are the brave men and women in our armed forces." (Tim Pawlenty)
"I have great respect and understanding for military commitment due to my own family's involvement with the armed forces." (Carolyn Murphy)
"I extend my deepest gratitude to our Armed Forces and first responders serving both at home and abroad in the war against terrorism." (John Doolittle)
"We must never forget why we have, and why we need our military: Our armed forces exist solely to ensure our nation is safe, so that each and every one of us can sleep soundly at night, knowing we have 'guardians at the gate'." (Allen West)
"It's very important for us as a group of Navy SEALs, to make sure that the message that we send to the country is that we're ready to serve any commander in chief, the elected head of the armed forces, that the people of the United States elect." (Eric Greitens)
"The Japanese government has accepted the notion that Japan is the loser, and it appears to be going to accept unconditional surrender; such a position frustrates the officers and soldiers of the imperial armed forces." (Hideki Tojo)
"To demilitarize the country means to make a profound decision; it is not enough to change the name of the armed forces." (Óscar Arias)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of armed forces from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
