mil·i·tary
ˈmi-lə-ˌter-ē 
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
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
CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
Hegseth pointed out that China's military has an extensive presence in the area, adding that Beijing's investments in the region are aimed at gaining military advantage and securing economic benefits.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
The group's visit to a major shrine, overseen by the Israeli military, was opposed by Druze leaders in the rest of Syria.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for military
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Adjective
The Missouri's captain ordered a military burial at sea with full honors, marking one of the more unusual and little-known episodes of World War II.
—CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
Hegseth pointed out that China's military has an extensive presence in the area, adding that Beijing's investments in the region are aimed at gaining military advantage and securing economic benefits.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
Japan is part of the First Island Chain, a U.S. maritime containment strategy that seeks to restrict the Chinese military's access to the Western Pacific Ocean.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
The group's visit to a major shrine, overseen by the Israeli military, was opposed by Druze leaders in the rest of Syria.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for military
Cite this Entry
“Military.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/military. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
military
1 of 2 adjective
mil·i·tary
ˈmil-ə-ˌter-ē
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
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