armament

noun

ar·​ma·​ment ˈär-mə-mənt How to pronounce armament (audio)
also ˈärm-mənt
Synonyms of armamentnext
1
: a military or naval force
2
a
: the aggregate of a nation's military strength
b
: weapons, arms
3
: the process of preparing for war

Examples of armament in a Sentence

The country's armament will take years. a small nation that is determined to have adequate armaments
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The rocket armament may serve a similar purpose. — David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 The force was strengthened by advanced Soviet weaponry that could go toe-to-toe with US armaments. — Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 There is not nearly enough resources given to helping war victims Far more resources are put toward wars and armaments than to saving people from the horror. — William Lambers, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026 Within these broad categories there was a bewildering array of specific armaments. — Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for armament

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French armement "action of arming, equipping of an armed force" (from armer "to arm entry 2" + -ment -ment), reshaped after Latin armāmenta (neuter plural) "sailing gear of a ship, equipment, implements," from armāre "to arm entry 2, equip" + -menta, plural of -mentum -ment

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of armament was in 1632

Rhymes for armament

See All Rhymes for armament

Browse Nearby Words

Armagnac
armament
armamentarium
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Armament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armament. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

armament

noun
ar·​ma·​ment ˈär-mə-mənt How to pronounce armament (audio)
1
: the military strength and equipment of a nation
2
: a supply of war materials
3
: the process of preparing for war

More from Merriam-Webster on armament

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for armament

Nglish: Translation of armament for Spanish Speakers

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