army

1. 1

   A large, highly organized military force, concerned mainly with ground (rather than air or naval) operations.

   • An army never can be commanded or controlled by civilians.
   • The army was sent in to quell the uprising.
2. 2

   A large, highly organized military force, concerned mainly with ground (rather than air or naval) operations.; Used absolutely for that entire branch of the armed forces.

   • The army received a bigger share of this year's budget increase than the navy or air force.
3. 3

   A large, highly organized military force, concerned mainly with ground (rather than air or naval) operations.; Within a vast military, a very large tactical contingent (e.g. a number of divisions).capitalizedoften

   • The Fourth Army suffered such losses that its remainders were merged into the Second Army, also deployed on the Western front.
4. 4

   The governmental agency in charge of a state's army.

   • The army opposed the legislature's involvement.
5. 5

   A large group of people working toward the same purpose.figuratively

   • It took an army of accountants to uncover the fraud.
   • On sunny days the beaches draw armies of tourists of all kinds.
6. 6

   A large group of animals, especially caterpillars or social insects working toward the same purpose.collectivefiguratively

   • Our house is being attacked by an army of ants.
7. 7

   Any multitude.figuratively

   • There was an army of construction cranes working on building the skyscraper.
8. 8

   The military as a whole.

   • The People's Liberation Army Navy of China.
   • The Yugoslav Army consisted of the War Navy, Ground Forces, and Air Force.

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