arms
C1Neutral to formal. The 'weapons' sense is often formal/news context; the 'limbs' sense is everyday.
Definition
Meaning
The two upper limbs of a human body from shoulder to hand; weapons, especially firearms.
Can refer to heraldic symbols (coat of arms), figurative support (welcome with open arms), or military capability (the armed forces, arms industry).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a plural noun (with -s). As a singular, 'arm' is the limb; 'arms' is the plural of limb or the collective noun for weapons/heraldry. The 'weapons' sense is uncountable in plural form (e.g., trade in arms).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'arms' for limbs and weapons. 'Small arms' (light firearms) is a shared military term. Heraldic 'coat of arms' is identical.
Connotations
In political/military discourse, 'arms' (weapons) carries the same weight. 'Arms' (limbs) is slightly more formal/medical in both; 'arms' is common in everyday phrases (fold your arms).
Frequency
The 'weapons' sense is more frequent in news/political contexts globally. Limb sense is high-frequency in general language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N of arms (a shipment of arms)V + arms (bear arms)ADJ + arms (nuclear arms)arms + N (arms race)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “up in arms”
- “twist someone's arm”
- “cost an arm and a leg”
- “welcome with open arms”
- “baby in arms”
- “arms race”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the defence/arms industry: 'The company secured a major arms contract.'
Academic
In history/political science: 'The arms proliferation treaty was debated.' In anatomy: 'The brachial artery supplies the arms.'
Everyday
Referring to body parts or giving a hug: 'She carried the box in her arms.' 'He welcomed her with open arms.'
Technical
Military: 'Small arms fire.' Heraldry: 'The family's arms feature a lion rampant.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The protestors armed themselves with placards.
- The country is arming for a potential conflict.
American English
- The citizens arm themselves for protection.
- The legislation aims to arm local police better.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as pure adverb) He held the baby arm-in-arm with his partner. (hyphenated phrase)
American English
- (Rare as pure adverb) They walked arm-in-arm along the path.
adjective
British English
- He suffered an arm-related injury. (compound adjective)
- An arms-length transaction was agreed.
American English
- The arm-wrestling champion was formidable.
- They maintained an arms-length relationship.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She has a tattoo on her arm.
- The baby slept in his mother's arms.
- They folded their arms and waited.
- The treaty aimed to reduce the number of arms.
- The company was accused of illegal arms trading.
- He welcomed the idea with open arms.
- The proliferation of small arms continues to destabilise the region.
- The heraldic arms of the university date back to the 15th century.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a coat of ARMS: A soldier's ARM holds a weapon, and his uniform has a coat of ARMS (heraldic symbol). Both involve 'arms'.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARMS ARE CONTAINERS (for holding: 'in the arms of morpheus'), ARMS ARE TOOLS/POWER (for weapons: 'the long arm of the law').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'вооружённые силы' (armed forces) - 'arms' само по себе означает оружие, а не войска.
- В сочетаниях 'coat of arms' - это геральдический герб, а не пальто.
- 'Up in arms' означает возмущённый, а не 'поднятый на руки'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'arm' as singular for weapons (incorrect: 'an arm deal' -> correct: 'an arms deal').
- Using 'arms' as singular verb subject without plural verb (The arms are, not is).
- Confusing 'arms' (weapons) with 'alarms'.
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'an arms-length agreement', what does 'arms' imply?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as a standalone noun. The singular 'arm' refers to one limb. The 'weapons/heraldry' meanings only exist in the plural form 'arms', though it can take a singular verb when treated as an uncountable collective (e.g., 'The arms trade is lucrative').
'Arms' is a formal, often legal/political term for weapons, especially military. 'Weapons' is more general (can include knives, clubs). 'Firearms' is a subset of arms/weapons that specifically use gunpowder (guns, rifles).
No. 'Arms' specifically includes the shoulder to the wrist. 'Hands' are the extremities. You 'carry something in your arms', but 'hold something with your hands'.
No, it's a historical heraldic design on a shield or surcoat, representing a family, institution, or country. It's a fixed phrase from medieval times.