armada
/ar-MAH-dah/
navy
Armada, meaning 'navy,' refers to a nation's fleet of military vessels.
armada(noun)
navy
?The naval branch of a country's military
,fleet
?A large group of warships
naval force
?Formal term for a sea-based military group
📝 In Action
La Armada Española tiene una larga historia marítima.
B1The Spanish Navy has a long maritime history.
La famosa Armada Invencible fue derrotada en 1588.
B2The famous Invincible Armada (fleet) was defeated in 1588.
Enviaron una pequeña armada para proteger la costa.
B1They sent a small fleet to protect the coast.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Even though it refers to a large military group, 'armada' is always a feminine noun and uses feminine articles (la armada).
⭐ Usage Tips
Historical Context
When capitalized, 'La Armada' often refers specifically to the historical Spanish Armada (Invincible Fleet).
When used as an adjective, armada means 'armed,' describing someone who possesses a weapon.
armada(adjective)
armed
?Having weapons
,equipped
?Having necessary gear or defenses
assembled
?Put together (less common, usually refers to objects)
📝 In Action
La guardia de seguridad estaba armada con pistolas.
A2The security guard (feminine) was armed with pistols.
Es una mujer armada de valor y determinación.
B1She is a woman armed with courage and determination (figurative).
Encontraron la caja fuerte armada con un sistema de alarma.
B2They found the safe equipped with an alarm system.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement is Key
As an adjective, 'armada' must match the thing it describes. If the noun is masculine singular (el ejército), you must use 'armado'. If it is plural (las tropas), use 'armadas'.
Source Verb
This form comes from the verb 'armar' (to arm/to assemble). It acts as a descriptive word (past participle).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Up Forms
Mistake: "La policía estaba armado."
Correction: La policía estaba armada. ('policía' is a feminine noun, so the adjective must be 'armada'.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: armada
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'armada' as a noun (meaning a navy or fleet)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous historical use of the word 'Armada'?
The most famous use refers to the 'Spanish Armada' (La Armada Invencible), a massive fleet sent by Spain in 1588 to invade England.
Why does 'armada' mean both 'navy' and 'armed'?
The noun 'armada' is literally the feminine form of the past participle, meaning 'a group that has been armed.' Over time, this noun specifically came to refer to the most heavily 'armed' group of ships—the navy.