- 1(formal) weapons, especially as used by the army, navy, etc. arms and ammunition Police officers in New York usually carry arms. see firearm, small arms
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- 2= coat of arms Idioms
to be a soldier; to fight
to have weapons and be ready to fight in a war
to stop fighting The government called on the terrorists to lay down their arms.
(of soldiers) to hold a rifle vertical in front of the body as a mark of respect
to prepare to fight He encouraged his supporters to take up arms against the state.
(of a group of people) to be very angry about something and ready to protest strongly about it
Check pronunciation: arms