bad conduct discharge

noun

: a discharge from one of the armed services given at the recommendation of a court-martial after conviction for an offense less serious than one leading to a dishonorable discharge

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bad conduct discharge was in 1946

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near bad conduct discharge

Cite this Entry

“Bad conduct discharge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bad%20conduct%20discharge. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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