noun
arms
ahmz
noun
1
Weapons, especially firearms, considered collectively.
"The treaty limited the number of arms each country could stockpile."
"Rebel forces were caught smuggling arms across the border."
2
A heraldic emblem or design, traditionally displayed on a shield or crest to represent a family, institution, or nation.
"The university's coat of arms features a lion and an open book."
How to Use Arms
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWeapons in general, or (in heraldry) a family or institutional emblem — "coat of arms".
Common mistake
In this sense "arms" is always plural and refers to weapons — don't confuse with the plural of the body part "arm".
Common pairings
bear arms
call to arms
coat of arms
arms race
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The treaty limited the number of _____ each country could stockpile.
Etymology
From Old French armes, from Latin arma ("weapons, tools").