army
AH-mee
Army (noun) means a large organized force trained and equipped for warfare, especially on land. Example: “The general told the army to rest before the long march home.”
noun
1
A large organized force trained and equipped for warfare, especially on land.
"The general told the army to rest before the long march home."
"The army advanced toward the border at dawn."
"She served in the army for eight years before becoming a nurse."
2
A large group of people or things organized or working toward a common goal.
"An army of ants marched across the kitchen floor towards the sugar."
"A small army of helpers decorated the hall for the party."
"An army of volunteers showed up to clean the beach after the storm."
How to use army
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe military branch that fights on land — or, loosely, any large group acting together.
Common pairings
join the army
army of volunteers
army base
standing army
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Word forms
- Plural
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Etymology
From Old French armee, from Medieval Latin armata ("armed force"), from Latin armare ("to arm").
Related words
Rhymes for army
See all rhymes for army →Frequently asked questions
What does “army” mean?
The word “army” means a large organized force trained and equipped for warfare, especially on land. In plain terms, the military branch that fights on land — or, loosely, any large group acting together.
How do you pronounce “army”?
“Army” is pronounced AH-mee (/ˈɑɹ.mi/ in IPA).
How do you use “army” in a sentence?
Here is “army” used in a sentence: “The army advanced toward the border at dawn.”
What is another word for “army”?
Words with a similar meaning to “army” include host and here.
What part of speech is “army”?
“Army” is a noun.
Where does the word “army” come from?
The word “army” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French armee, from Medieval Latin armata ("armed force"), from Latin armare ("to arm").
Is “army” a common word?
“Army” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “army” have?
“Army” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large organized force trained and equipped for warfare, especially on land.
What is the difference between an army and the military?
The military is a country's entire armed forces, including land, sea, air, and sometimes space branches. An army is specifically the branch that fights on land. So every army is part of the military, but the military also contains the navy, air force, and other services. "Army" is sometimes used loosely to mean all forces.
What is the difference between an army and a navy?
An army is trained and equipped mainly to fight on land, using infantry, tanks, and artillery. A navy operates at sea, using ships and submarines to control the water and coastlines. Both are branches of a nation's military, but they specialise in different environments and rely on very different equipment and tactics.
What are the main ranks in an army?
Army ranks generally split into enlisted soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and commissioned officers. Enlisted ranks start with private, rising through corporal and sergeant. Officers range from lieutenant and captain up to general at the very top. Exact titles vary by country, but this ladder of rank sets the chain of command.
Why is it called an army?
The word "army" comes from the Latin "armata," meaning an armed force, reaching English through Old French "armee." It shares a root with words like "arms" and "armament," all tied to the idea of being equipped with weapons. So an army is literally a body of armed people organised for war.
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