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¹arm

noun \ˈärm\

Definition of ARM

: a human upper limb; especially : the part between the shoulder and the wrist

: something like or corresponding to an arm: as

a : the forelimb of a vertebrate

b : a limb of an invertebrate animal

c : a branch or lateral shoot of a plant

d : a slender part of a structure, machine, or an instrument projecting from a main part, axis, or fulcrum

e : the end of a ship's yard; also : the part of an anchor from the crown to the fluke — see anchor illustration

f : any of the usually two parts of a chromosome lateral to the centromere

: an inlet of water (as from the sea)

: a narrow extension of a larger area, mass, or group

: power, might <the long arm of the law>

: a support (as on a chair) for the elbow and forearm

: sleeve

: the ability to throw or pitch a ball well; also : a player having such ability

: a functional division of a group, organization, institution, or activity <the logistical arm of the air force>

— arm·less \ˈärm-ləs\ adjective

— arm·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

— arm in arm

: with arms linked together

Origin of ARM

Middle English, from Old English earm; akin to Latin armus shoulder, Sanskrit īrma arm

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with ARM

barm, charm, farm, harm, smarm

²arm

verb

: to provide (yourself, a group, a country, etc.) with weapons especially in order to fight a war or battle

: to provide (someone) with a way of fighting, competing, or succeeding

: to make (a bomb, weapon, etc.) ready for use

Full Definition of ARM

transitive verb

: to furnish or equip with weapons

: to furnish with something that strengthens or protects <arming citizens with the right to vote>

: to equip or ready for action or operation <arm a bomb>

intransitive verb

: to prepare oneself for struggle or resistance <arm for combat>

See arm defined for English-language learners

Origin of ARM

Middle English armen, from Anglo-French armer, from Latin armare, from arma weapons, tools; akin to Latin ars skill, Greek harmos joint, arariskein to fit

First Known Use: 12th century

³arm

noun, often attributive

Definition of ARM

a : a means (as a weapon) of offense or defense; especially : firearm

b : a combat branch (as of an army)

c : an organized branch of national defense (as the navy)

plural

a : the hereditary heraldic devices of a family

b : heraldic devices adopted by a government

plural

a : active hostilities : warfare <a call to arms>

b : military service

— up in arms

: aroused and ready to undertake a fight or conflict

Origin of ARM

Middle English armes (plural) weapons, from Anglo-French, from Latin arma

First Known Use: 13th century

Arm

abbreviation

Definition of ARM

Armenian

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

ARM

abbreviation

Definition of ARM

adjustable rate mortgage

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

ARM Defined for Kids

¹arm

noun \ˈärm\

Definition of ARM for Kids

: a human upper limb especially between the shoulder and wrist

: something like an arm in shape or position <an arm of the sea> <the arm of a chair>

: sleeve 1

: ¹power 1 <the long arm of the law>

: a foreleg of a four-footed animal

²arm

verb

armedarm·ing

Definition of ARM for Kids

: to provide with weapons

: to provide with a way of fighting, competing, or succeeding <She armed her lawyer with facts.>

³arm

noun

Definition of ARM for Kids

: weapon, firearm

: a branch of an army or of the military forces

arms plural : the designs on a shield or flag of a family or government

arms plural : actual fighting : warfare <a call to arms>

Medical Dictionary

arm

noun \ˈärm\

Medical Definition of ARM

a : a human upper limb b : the part of the human upper limb between the shoulder and the wrist; also : brachium

a : the forelimb of a vertebrate other than a human being b : a limb of an invertebrate animal c : any of the usually two parts of a chromosome lateral to the centromere