Arm — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb abbreviation /ˈärm/

Meaning & Definition of Arm

Arm (noun)

  1. a human upper limb; especially, the part between the shoulder and the wrist
  2. something like or corresponding to an arm
  3. the forelimb of a vertebrate
  4. a means (such as a weapon) of offense or defense; especially, firearm
  5. a combat branch (as of an army)
  6. an organized branch of national defense (such as the navy)

Arm (verb)

  1. to furnish or equip with weapons
  2. to furnish with something that strengthens or protects
  3. to equip or ready for action or operation

Arm (abbreviation)

  1. Armenian
  2. adjustable rate mortgage

Arm (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a portable weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder

    "soldiers grabbing their arms and helmets and heading into battle"

    similar: firearm, gun, heat (slang), piece, small arm
  2. a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization

    "a company that needs to beef up its marketing arm if it wants to compete in today's business world"

  3. a part of a body of water that extends beyond the general shoreline

    "this arm of the Atlantic is surprisingly peaceful, as the stronger ocean currents do not reach this far"

    similar: bay, bight, cove, creek (chiefly British), embayment, estuary, firth, fjord, gulf, inlet, loch (Scottish)
  4. an area of land that juts out into a body of water

    "Maine has so many long, narrow arms that jut out into the ocean that early coastal settlers found it much easier to travel by sea"

    related: breakwater, jetty
  5. the right or means to command or control others

    "few criminals manage to permanently escape the long arm of the law"

Arm (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in prepare, fortify

Related Entry: Arm-twisting (noun)

Arm-twisting is a different word from Arm. The synonyms below are for arm-twisting, not for arm.

  1. the use of power to impose one's will on another

    "it took some arm-twisting, but they eventually agreed to make a donation"

Related Entry: Arm-twist (verb)

Arm-twist is a different word from Arm. The synonyms below are for arm-twist, not for arm.

  1. as in bully, intimidate

Related Entry: Arm-twisted (verb)

Arm-twisted is a different word from Arm. The synonyms below are for arm-twisted, not for arm.

  1. as in bullied, intimidated

Related Entry: Arm-twisting (verb)

Arm-twisting is a different word from Arm. The synonyms below are for arm-twisting, not for arm.

  1. as in bullying, intimidating

Related Entry: Arm-twists (verb)

Arm-twists is a different word from Arm. The synonyms below are for arm-twists, not for arm.

  1. as in bullies, intimidates

Related Entry: Arm-twistings (noun)

Arm-twistings is a different word from Arm. The synonyms below are for arm-twistings, not for arm.

  1. the use of power to impose one's will on another

    "it took some arm-twisting, but they eventually agreed to make a donation"

Related Entry: Small arm (noun)

Small arm is a different word from Arm. The synonyms below are for small arm, not for arm.

  1. a portable weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder

    "the soldiers keep their small arms securely in their holsters when not on patrol"

    similar: arm, firearm, gun, heat (slang), piece

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Arm

The most common words with a similar meaning to Arm:

Chiefly British: creek, kit (up or out)
Slang: heat
Scottish: loch

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Arm

Words with the opposite meaning of Arm:

Near Antonyms of Arm

Word Forms of Arm

Inflections: arms, armed, arming

Derived words: armless (adjective), armlike (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Arm

Middle English, going back to Old English earm, arm, going back to Germanic *arma-, masculine, (whence also Old Frisian erm "arm," Old Saxon arm, Old High German aram, arm, Old Norse armr, Gothic arms), going back to Indo-European *h2orH-mo-, whence also Old Church Slavic ramo shoulder, Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian rȁme, stem rȁmen-, Czech ráměk; a parallel zero-grade *h2r̥H-mó- gives Old Prussian irmo arm, Lithuanian (eastern dialects) ìrmėdė pain from gout, chill, fever (irm- arm + -ėdė eating), Sanskrit īrmá- arm, Avestan arəma-; Latin armus forequarter (of an animal), shoulder probably goes back to *h2erH-mo-

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Arm

  • Topics: Body & Health

Words & Phrases Containing Arm

Frequently Asked Questions about Arm

What does "Arm" mean?

"Arm" means a human upper limb; especially, the part between the shoulder and the wrist. As an a noun, a verb and an abbreviation, it is defined as: a human upper limb; especially, the part between the shoulder and the wrist. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Arm"?

Other words for "Arm" include firearm, gun, heat, piece, small arm, agency, branch and bureau. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Arm" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Arm"?

There are 153 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Arm". Common alternatives include firearm, gun, heat, piece, small arm, agency, branch, bureau, department and desk.

What is the opposite of "Arm"?

Antonyms of "Arm" include impotence, impotency, powerlessness, deprive, dispossess, divest and strip. Near antonyms include helplessness and weakness.

How do you use "Arm" in a sentence?

Examples of "Arm" in a sentence: "soldiers grabbing their arms and helmets and heading into battle"; "a company that needs to beef up its marketing arm if it wants to compete in today's business world"; "this arm of the Atlantic is surprisingly peaceful, as the stronger ocean currents do not reach this far".

Is "Arm" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Arm" can be used as a noun, a verb and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Arm"?

"Arm" is pronounced /ˈärm/.

What is the origin of the word "Arm"?

"Arm" comes from Middle English, going back to Old English earm, arm, going back to Germanic *arma-, masculine, (whence also Old Frisian erm "arm," Old Saxon arm, Old High German aram, arm, Old Norse armr, Gothic arms), going back to Indo-European *h2orH-mo-, whence also Old Church Slavic ramo shoulder, Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian rȁme, stem rȁmen-, Czech ráměk; a parallel zero-grade *h2r̥H-mó- gives Old Prussian irmo arm, Lithuanian (eastern dialects) ìrmėdė pain from gout, chill, fever (irm- arm + -ėdė eating), Sanskrit īrmá- arm, Avestan arəma-; Latin armus forequarter (of an animal), shoulder probably goes back to *h2erH-mo-. First known use: before 12th century.