armies

nounmilitary force, usually for land
noungroup resembling military force

Synonyms for armies

noun military force, usually for land

Antonyms for armies

Word Origin & History

late 14c., "armed expedition," from Old French armée (14c.) "armed troop, armed expedition," from Medieval Latin armata "armed force," from Latin armata, fem. of armatus "armed, equipped, in arms," past participle of armare "to arm," literally "act of arming," related to arma "tools, arms" (see arm (n.2)). Originally used of expeditions on sea or land; the specific meaning "land force" first recorded 1786. Transferred meaning "host, multitude" is c.1500.

The Old English words were here (still preserved in derivatives like harrier), from PIE *kor- "people, crowd;" and fierd, with an original sense of "expedition," from faran "travel." In spite of etymology, in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, here generally meant "invading Vikings" and fierd was used for the local militias raised to fight them.

Example Sentences for armies

Armies would fight for his favour at the bidding of queens—to get what I have!

Between the two armies lay the hecatombs of dead and the thousands of wounded.

"The armies of Sennacherib were as mighty," answered Almamen.

It is associated with armies and navies, and an unlimited police force.

Think of it, you wiseacres and organisers of American armies.

And no less credit and glory did it bring to the Turkish armies.

Lo, at last, there was a dot on the clouds, And—at last and at last— —God—the sky was filled with armies.

Their armies of the right and of the center were beaten and the retreat followed.

The general retreat of the German armies was the inevitable result.

Nevertheless the British and French armies were not crushed.