German word

Heer

Pronunciation

IPA/heːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • neuter nounarmy

Example

Nach dem Krieg wurden die Heere neu organisiert.

After the war, the armies were reorganized.

Illustration for Heer (army)

More examples

Viele junge Männer wurden zum Heer eingezogen.

Many young men were drafted into the army.

Core concept

The land-based branch of a country's armed forces, distinct from its naval and air units.

Common phrases

  • im Heer dienen

    serve in the army

  • zum Heer eingezogen werden

    be drafted into the army

  • das Heer modernisieren

    modernize the army

Similar words

Bundeswehr: Germany's armed forces as a whole, including land, naval, and air units.
Armee: A country's or power's ground forces.
Militär: The military as a whole, including forces and defense institutions.
Truppen: A body of soldiers organized for combat or other duties.

Definition in German

Staatliche militärische Teilstreitkraft, die für Einsätze und Operationen zu Lande zuständig ist.

Word origin

Heer is an inherited Germanic word from Old High German heri and Proto-Germanic *harjaz, meaning an army or host.

Usage tips

  • In modern Germany, das Heer is the army component of the Bundeswehr, while Bundeswehr refers to the armed forces as a whole.

Related words

  • Heeresführungarmy commandnoun
  • Heerwesenmilitary systemnoun
  • Heerführerarmy commandernoun

Word lists with this word