red army: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Historical, Political, Academic, Journalism
Quick answer
What does “red army” mean?
The armed forces of the Soviet Union (1917–1991).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The armed forces of the Soviet Union (1917–1991).
Historically, the main military force of the Bolsheviks and the Soviet Union. The term is sometimes extended to refer to communist or leftist military forces in other contexts (e.g., the Red Army Faction in Germany, a militant group). In contemporary usage, it refers specifically to the historical Soviet army.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Identical connotations of Soviet history, communism, and the Cold War in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both, appearing mainly in historical/political contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “red army” in a Sentence
The Red Army + verb (liberated, invaded, occupied)of the Red Army (the might of the Red Army)against the Red ArmyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “red army” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Red Army units were deployed along the front.
- He studied Red Army tactics.
American English
- Red Army divisions entered Berlin.
- A Red Army uniform was on display.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, and military history texts.
Everyday
Rare, except in discussions of 20th-century history.
Technical
Used in military history and political analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “red army”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “red army”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “red army”
- Using lower case ('red army').
- Using it to refer to the modern Russian military.
- Confusing it with the 'Chinese Red Army' (more correctly, the People's Liberation Army).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Red Army was the army of the Soviet Union, which dissolved in 1991. The modern Russian military is called the Russian Armed Forces.
'Red' was the colour associated with communism and the Bolshevik movement that founded the Soviet state.
Primarily no. It specifically denotes the Soviet army. Other groups have used the name (e.g., the Red Army Faction in Germany), but these are distinct and usually specified by context.
Not entirely. It is a historical term, but its usage can carry connotations depending on context—from liberation and heroism to oppression and Cold War tension.
The armed forces of the Soviet Union (1917–1991).
Red army is usually historical, political, academic, journalism in register.
Red army: in British English it is pronounced /ˌred ˈɑː.mi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌred ˈɑːr.mi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a RED flag flying over a massive ARMY during a snowy Russian winter.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE STATE IS A BODY (with the Red Army as its powerful fist/arm).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a correct contemporary reference?