ˌarmed ˈforces noun the armed forces [plural] a country’s military organizations, including the army, navy, and
air force ⇒
military [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
the army the part of a country's military force that is trained to fight on land:
Her son joined the army in 2002. an army commanderthe armed forces (
also the military especially American English, the services British English, the service American English) the army, navy, and air force:
He served in the armed forces for many years. Riley joined the military after graduating from high school.soldier someone who is in the army, especially someone who is not an officer:
Three soldiers were killed in an hour-long gun battle.troops soldiers, especially those who are taking part in a military attack:
The government sent more troops to Iraq.serviceman/servicewoman a man or woman who is in the army, air force, or navy:
The hospital treats injured servicemen and women.officer a high-ranking member of the army, air force, or navy who is in charge of a group of soldiers, sailors etc:
an army officerjoin up British English,
enlist American English to join the army:
He joined up when he was 18.be called up British English,
be drafted American English to be ordered to serve in the army by the government:
He was drafted into the US army in 1943. Reserve soldiers were being called up.conscription (
also the draft American English) a government policy of ordering people to serve in the army:
Conscription was introduced in 1916. He had left the country to avoid the draft. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲