martial law

noun

1

: the law applied in occupied territory by the military authority of the occupying power

2

: the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety

Examples of martial law in a Sentence

The government has imposed martial law throughout the city to stop the riots.

an area placed under martial law

Recent Examples on the Web

However, it was suspended by the succeeding administration, led by President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office last month for his declaration of martial law. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025

Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 ended with first-term NYC mayor Wilson Fisk announcing to the city his Safer Streets plan, which involves an 8 pm curfew, zero tolerance for vigilantes, and the declaration of martial law. —Rebecca Luther, TVLine, 13 May 2025

The move sparked fierce protests, and several hours after the declaration, the National Assembly voted to demand that the president lift the martial law order. —Jack Moore, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025

The next year came the Thrilla in Manila, Ali vs. Joe Frazier in the Philippines, hosted by President Ferdinand Marcos, who had declared martial law a few years before. —Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for martial law

• allantois
• baccarat
• chickasaw
• mackinaw
• overawe
• oversaw
• quebecois
• yojana
• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw

Kids Definition

martial law

noun

: the law applied by military forces in occupied territory or in an emergency

Legal Definition

martial law

noun

mar·​tial law

ˈmär-shəl-

1

: the law applied in occupied territory by the military authority of the occupying power

2

: the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety compare military law