What does armament mean?
Armament refers to the weapons and military equipment possessed by a nation, armed force, or individual fighting unit. The word carries two closely related senses: it can describe the concrete stock of weaponry — from rifles to nuclear missiles — or the abstract process of arming oneself for conflict. In everyday usage, 'armament' appears most often in political and historical discussion, as in debates over naval armament before the World Wars or modern concerns about nuclear armament. It is frequently used in the plural form, 'armaments', especially in diplomatic contexts such as arms-control treaties. The word derives from Latin roots relating to arms and equipment, entering English in the early seventeenth century. Its connotations are serious and weighty: to speak of armament is to invoke state power, warfare, and the costly machinery of defense. Its natural counterpart, disarmament, names the deliberate reduction of such forces.
Military weapons and equipment collectively, especially those of a nation or armed force.
"The country's armament was vastly expanded during the war years."
Often used in the plural ('armaments') in diplomatic and political contexts.
The act or process of equipping with weapons; arming.
"The rapid armament of the fleet alarmed neighboring states."
The plural is the more common form when referring to weapons collectively, especially in diplomatic and arms-control contexts.
"The conference was convened to discuss the reduction of strategic armaments."
The word 'armament' gave rise to one of history's most famous opposites — 'disarmament' — a term born in the aftermath of World War I when nations first tried to negotiate their arsenals away.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of armament
Armament comes from the Latin 'armare', meaning 'to arm' or 'to equip with weapons', derived from 'arma' (arms). It entered English in the early seventeenth century, likely via French 'armement'. It shares its root with related words such as armor, armada, and armistice, all tracing back to the same Latin stem concerning weapons and military preparation.
Related word forms
How armament is actually used
Formal register, common in political, historical, and military contexts. Often used in the plural ('armaments') when referring to weapons collectively. The singular can denote either the equipment itself or the abstract process of arming.
Easily confused with armament
Armor is protective equipment worn or fitted to shield against attack, while armament refers to offensive weapons and military equipment generally.
Armaments is simply the plural form of armament; the singular often denotes the process of arming, while the plural typically denotes weapons collectively.