Army

UK: /ˈɑː^rmi/ US: /ˈɑrmi/ ,(är′mē)

Inflections of 'army' (n): npl: armies

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ar•my /ˈɑrmi/   n. [countable] , pl. -mies. 

1. Military the military forces of a nation, esp. the forces that fight on land.
2. Military a body of people trained and armed for war:
   an army of insurgents.
3. any organized or large group:
   an army of census takers.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ar•my  (är′mē), n., pl. -mies. 

1. Military the military forces of a nation, exclusive of the navy and in some countries the air force.
2. Military (in large military land forces) a unit consisting typically of two or more corps and a headquarters.
3. Military a large body of persons trained and armed for war.
4. any body of persons organized for any purpose:
   an army of census takers.
5. a very large number or group of something;
   a great multitude;
   a host:
   the army of the unemployed.

• Latin armāta. Cf. armada
• Middle French
• Middle English armee 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

army / ˈɑːmɪ/ noun ( -mies)

1. the military land forces of a nation
2. a military unit usually consisting of two or more corps with supporting arms and services
3. (modifier) of, relating to, or characteristic of an army
4. any large body of people united for some specific purpose
5. a large number of people, animals, etc; multitude

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French armee, from Medieval Latin armāta armed forces; see armada