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

Yoon, a former top prosecutor, now stands a criminal trial on rebellion charges connection with his martial law decree. —Time, 24 Apr. 2025

On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol attempted to seize control of the country by abruptly declaring martial law. —Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2025

Does that mean New York will still be under martial law during Thunderbolts*? —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025

Fisk anoints Heather his Commissioner of Mental Health because the city is gonna need therapy after all this martial law and beating up of vigilantes. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 15 Apr. 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