Definition

Noun: * The business of manufacturing and selling weapons and military equipment: The "arms industry" refers to the commercial sector involved in the research, development, production, and sale of weapons, ammunition, and other technologies for military use.

Usage

The term "arms industry" is used to describe the collective economic and industrial activities related to weaponry. It is often discussed in contexts of geopolitics, economics, ethics, and national security. * It functions as a singular noun, though it represents a complex network of companies. * It is commonly modified by adjectives like global, domestic, lucrative, or powerful.

Examples

• The arms industry is a major component of the nation's economy.
• Regulations on the international arms industry are a topic of constant debate at the United Nations.
• Several countries are trying to reduce their dependence on the foreign arms industry by developing their own manufacturing capabilities.

Advanced Usage

• "The military-industrial complex": This is a related but distinct concept that describes the close relationship between a nation's military, the arms industry, and the government that influences policy and spending. While the "arms industry" is the commercial sector, the "military-industrial complex" implies a powerful, intertwined system of influence.
  • Critics argue that the military-industrial complex perpetuates a cycle of conflict to drive profits for the arms industry.

Variants and Related Words

• Defense industry (noun): Often used synonymously, especially in American English, though it can have a broader scope including non-weapon systems like radar or communications.
• Arms manufacturer (noun): A specific company within the arms industry.
• Arms dealer (noun): A person or company that sells weapons, often internationally.
• Armament (noun): Military weapons and equipment collectively.

Synonyms

• Defense sector
• Weaponry industry
• Munitions industry

Related Phrases

• Arms trade (noun phrase): The commercial exchange of weapons between countries or entities.
  • The international arms trade is governed by a complex set of treaties and embargoes.
• Arms export/import (noun phrase): The specific act of selling weapons to or buying weapons from another country.
  • The new policy restricted arms exports to regions in conflict.

Noun

1. an industry that manufacturers weapons of war