armed robbery

noun

1. a robbery in which the robber is armed with a dangerous weapon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of armed robbery¹

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

After a series of high-profile incidents — including the armed robbery of a diner’s $500,000 watch at a local restaurant — the city beefed up patrols and security details.

From Los Angeles Times

Alleged ICE impersonators also conducted a roadside armed robbery in Delaware.

From Salon

Hanlon believes the killers were other Black Panthers — a pair of heroin addicts known to feed their habit with armed robbery.

From Los Angeles Times

Between them they paid in cigarettes for the services of a prisoner, serving 94 years for armed robbery, to do their laundry.

From BBC

About 7:20 p.m., deputies responded to a report of an armed robbery happening at the 1200 block of Meadow View, the sheriff’s department said in a press release.

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What is armed robbery?

Armed robbery is the act of robbing someone or a place while armed with a weapon.Robbery is the act of robbing—stealing, especially by force or through threats of violence. To be armed is to be carrying a weapon.A person who commits armed robbery can be called an armed robber. Even if a robber does not use the weapon they are carrying while committing a robbery, it is still considered armed robbery.Armed robbery is used as a name of a specific criminal charge. The sentence for being convicted of armed robbery is often much harsher due to the fact that a weapon was involved.Example: The suspect is wanted for armed robbery and assault.