military

1 of 2

adjective

mil·​i·​tary ˈmi-lə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce military (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to soldiers, arms, or war
military discipline
the country's military needs
b
: of or relating to armed forces
especially : of or relating to ground or sometimes ground and air forces as opposed to naval forces
military and naval affairs
2
a
: performed or made by armed forces
military operations
b
: supported by armed force
a military government
3
: of or relating to the army
the military academy at West Point

military

2 of 2

noun

plural military also militaries
1
: military persons
especially : army officers
2

Examples of military in a Sentence

Adjective He is being tried in a military court rather than in a civilian court. He has had a long military career. Noun There were many military present but only a few civilians. some would insist that the military's budget is still inadequate
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.
Adjective
There was also a strike by Kyiv on a depot in Russia's Tula Oblast, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent. David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025 So, the beloved military shooter series is basically confirmed for Switch 2. Jordan Minor, PCMAG, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
The Israeli military said on Sunday afternoon local time that it had been informed by the Red Cross that the three hostages, named by media reports as Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari, were in the custody of the humanitarian organization and en route to Israeli forces in Gaza. Ellie Cook, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025 Throughout the morning, surveillance drones flew over Gaza and the Israeli military reported strikes in the territory. Jerome Socolovsky, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for military 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Latin militaris, from milit-, miles soldier

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1709, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of military was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near military

Cite this Entry

“Military.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/military. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

military

1 of 2 adjective
mil·​i·​tary ˈmil-ə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce military (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of soldiers, arms, or war
military discipline
2
: carried on or supported by armed force
a military government
3
: of or relating to the army
military and naval affairs

military

2 of 2 noun
plural military
1
2
: military persons
especially : army officers

More from Merriam-Webster on military

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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