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 These efforts have mostly failed: the elections took place, Putin’s imposition of martial law was only partial, and the borders remain open. Tatiana Stanovaya, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2023 The dictatorship in Poland, under pressure from Moscow, had just imposed martial law. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 20 Sep. 2024 Afterward, Israel imposed martial law in the region, yet Jewish settlement in the occupied area began immediately afterward. Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2024 In Portugal, a totalitarian regime imposes martial law that prevents people from moving freely. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for martial law 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'martial law.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of martial law was in 1576

Dictionary Entries Near martial law

Cite this Entry

“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martial%20law. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on martial law

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