Definition of "standing army" []

• A permanent army maintained in time of peace and war. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Brandenburg-Prussia to its leading position; Frederick William I increased the standing army to 83,000 men."
• "Purity in the elective Parliament is secured by the purchase of seats. (note-ch5-4, see page 821) Foreign power is kept by armed colonies; power at home, by a standing army of police."
• "It was cheaper, and more effective, to give a bonus to a native chief than to keep a large standing army in Kaffraria. '"