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Army vs. Horde — What's the Difference?

By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 18, 2024
An army is an organized, state-sanctioned military force, while a horde is a large, often unruly and disorderly group, typically used in a historical or pejorative context.
Army vs. Horde — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Army and Horde

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Key Differences

An army is a highly structured and disciplined military force, typically representing a nation or state, with formal ranks, strategies, and commands. Armies are characterized by their organized operations, adherence to military codes, and systematic training. A horde, on the other hand, refers to a large, often disorderly and unorganized group of people or animals. Historically, the term was used to describe nomadic tribes, particularly those from Central Asia, who moved en masse and were often perceived as a threat by settled civilizations.
An army's purpose is to defend or expand the interests of the state it represents, engaging in warfare in a controlled and strategic manner. It operates under a chain of command and follows specific rules of engagement. A horde, however, moves and acts more spontaneously, driven by immediate needs or collective momentum, and often lacks long-term strategic goals or formal leadership.
The term army evokes images of professional soldiers, disciplined marches, and tactical maneuvers, reflecting its organized nature. In contrast, the term horde conjures images of vast, tumultuous masses, reflecting its chaotic and unstructured nature. Armies are seen as legitimate military forces, while hordes are often depicted as invaders or marauders.

Comparison Chart

Organization

Highly structured and disciplined
Often unorganized and disorderly

Affiliation

Represents a nation or state
Typically not officially sanctioned
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Purpose

Defense, expansion, strategic military objectives
Immediate needs, movement, often perceived as threatening

Leadership

Formal chain of command
Lack of formal leadership

Connotation

Professional, legitimate military force
Chaotic, unruly, historical invaders or mobs

Compare with Definitions

Army

An institution governed by military codes and ranks.
Discipline is crucial in the army.

Horde

Historically, a nomadic tribe perceived as threatening.
The Mongol horde swept across the plains.

Army

A large body of people trained for war.
The army conducted rigorous training exercises.

Horde

An overwhelming number of entities.
They faced a horde of challenges.

Army

An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" [feminine]), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or state.

Horde

A large group of people
A horde of beery rugby fans

Army

A large body of people organized and trained for land warfare.

Horde

A small loosely knit social group typically consisting of about five families.

Army

Often Army The entire military land forces of a country.

Horde

A large group or crowd; a swarm
A horde of mosquitoes.

Army

A tactical and administrative military unit consisting of a headquarters, two or more corps, and auxiliary forces.

Horde

A wandering troop or gang; especially, a clan or tribe of a nomadic people (originally Tatars) migrating from place to place for the sake of pasturage, plunder, etc.; a predatory multitude.

Army

A large group of people or things, especially when organized for a specific cause or purpose
The construction army that built the Panama Canal.
A banquet with an army of waiters.

Horde

A large number of people or things.
We were beset by a horde of street vendors who thought we were tourists and would buy their cheap souvenirs.

Army

A large, highly organized military force, concerned mainly with ground (rather than air or naval) operations.
The army was sent in to quell the uprising.

Horde

To travel en masse, to flock

Army

Used absolutely for that entire branch of the armed forces.
The army received a bigger share of this year's budget increase than the navy or air force.

Horde

A wandering troop or gang; especially, a clan or tribe of a nomadic people migrating from place to place for the sake of pasturage, plunder, etc.; a predatory multitude.

Army

(often capitalized) Within a vast military, a very large tactical contingent (e.g. a number of divisions).
The Fourth Army suffered such losses that its remainders were merged into the Second Army, also deployed on the Western front.

Horde

Any large group of people or animals, especially one wandering or moving about; as, the movie star was surrounded by a horde of screaming fans.

Army

The governmental agency in charge of a state's army.
The army opposed the legislature's involvement.

Horde

A vast multitude

Army

(figuratively) A large group of people working toward the same purpose.
It took an army of accountants to uncover the fraud.
On sunny days the beaches draw armies of tourists of all kinds.

Horde

A nomadic community

Army

(figuratively) A large group of social animals working toward the same purpose.
Our house is being attacked by an army of ants.

Horde

A moving crowd

Army

(figuratively) Any multitude.
There was an army of construction cranes working on building the skyscraper.

Horde

A large, unorganized group of people or animals.
A horde of tourists flooded the city.

Army

The military as a whole.
The People's Liberation Army Navy of China.
The Yugoslav Army consisted of the Navy, Ground Forces, and Air Force.
Iran's army consists of the Navy, Ground Forces, and Air Force.

Horde

A chaotic or unruly crowd.
The protest turned into a horde.

Army

A collection or body of men armed for war, esp. one organized in companies, battalions, regiments, brigades, and divisions, under proper officers.

Horde

A term for large, uncontrolled movements.
A horde of locusts devastated the crops.

Army

A body of persons organized for the advancement of a cause; as, the Blue Ribbon Army.

Army

A great number; a vast multitude; a host.
An army of good words.

Army

A permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

Army

A large number of people united for some specific purpose

Army

A nation's organized military force.
The army was deployed to defend the border.

Army

A group of soldiers systematically arranged for combat.
The general commanded a large army.

Army

A force equipped with advanced weaponry and technology.
The army utilized drones for surveillance.

Common Curiosities

How is an army structured?

An army has a formal hierarchy, including ranks and a chain of command.

What defines a horde?

A horde is a large, often disorderly group, lacking formal organization or leadership.

What is an army?

An army is an organized military force of a nation, trained for combat and defense.

Can a horde be an army?

No, a horde lacks the structured organization and formal sanction of an army.

Do armies follow rules of engagement?

Yes, armies operate under strict rules of engagement and military codes.

What kind of weaponry does an army use?

Armies are equipped with advanced weaponry, including firearms, tanks, and drones.

Is a horde always negative?

While often used pejoratively, "horde" can simply denote a large group without implying chaos.

What is the historical context of a horde?

Historically, a horde often referred to nomadic tribes perceived as invaders, like the Mongols.

Do hordes have strategic goals?

Hordes usually act spontaneously and lack long-term strategic goals.

Can a horde have leadership?

A horde typically lacks formal leadership, though charismatic figures may emerge.

How do armies maintain discipline?

Through rigorous training, adherence to codes, and a strict chain of command.

Can a horde become organized?

A horde can potentially become organized, but it would then resemble an army.

How do armies differ in modern context versus historical context?

Modern armies are technologically advanced and highly specialized, whereas historical armies were less so but still organized.

Are armies always state-sanctioned?

Yes, armies are official military forces sanctioned by the state.

What is the perception of hordes in literature?

Hordes are often depicted as chaotic, overwhelming forces in literature.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat

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