# arms

/ˈɑɹmz/ (US) · /ˈɑːmz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/arms
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. body parts

noun · CEFR A1

the plural of the body part that goes from your shoulder to your hand.

For teachers: the plural form of the upper limb of the human body.

- He carried the heavy box in his arms while walking up the stairs.
- She held the infant securely in her arms, rocking gently to soothe the child before the long flight began.

### 2. weapons

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

weapons, such as guns or bombs, used for fighting or defense.

For teachers: weaponry or instruments of war; often used in the context of military equipment or the right to own weapons.

- The police found several illegal arms hidden in the back of the truck.
- The international treaty was designed to limit the trade of small arms in regions currently experiencing civil unrest.

Usage: Always plural in this sense.

### 3. heraldic symbols

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a special design or picture that represents a family, city, or country.

For teachers: distinctive heraldic bearings or emblems, such as a coat of arms, used by a family, institution, or state.

- The university's coat of arms is printed on every graduation certificate.
- The knight's shield bore the ancestral arms of his house, featuring a golden lion against a deep crimson background.

Usage: Usually appears in the phrase 'coat of arms'.

## Examples

- The soldiers laid down their arms after the peace treaty.
- The international community is debating whether to supply defensive arms to the region to prevent further conflict.
- The treaty aims to limit the proliferation of conventional arms while establishing a framework for monitoring the movement of heavy artillery across borders.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.