open arms

plural noun

: an eager or warm welcome
greeted them with open arms

Examples of open arms in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Education Department’s demand that K-12 districts and state officials certify their schools are free of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs is being met with open defiance from blue states and open arms by red ones. Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025 The revelers out front beckoned us over and welcomed us in with open arms. Mel Buer, The Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2025 Good for you for just following our lead with such open arms and being open to everything, from the recipes themselves to the actual techniques of storage. Bon Appétit, 15 Jan. 2025 Cookie Monster came out first but was unceremoniously dissed by our grandson, who excitedly pointed to Elmo behind him and, with a big grin, happily snuggled himself into Elmo’s open arms. Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for open arms

Word History

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of open arms was in 1670

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Open arms.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20arms. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

open arms

plural noun
: an eager or warm welcome
greeted us with open arms

More from Merriam-Webster on open arms

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!