navy

noun

na·​vy ˈnā-vē 

plural navies

1

: a group of ships : fleet

2

: a nation's ships of war and of logistic support

3

often capitalized : the complete naval establishment of a nation including yards, stations, ships, and personnel

4

: a dark grayish purplish blue

Examples of navy in a Sentence

A similar submarine is used by several foreign navies.

a career in the navy

The shirt comes in black, white, and navy.

Recent Examples on the Web

The mood was summery and the palette was peak Olsen: black, white, gray, navy, and khaki. —Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2025

The new unmanned surface vessel (USV) is designed to counter kamikaze drone threats to modern navies, as seen in Russian losses in the Black Sea and repeated Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, while retaining offensive capabilities. —Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025

True to tubing-mascara form, each lash gets its own water-resistant, smudge-proof coat in shades like classic black, deep brown, bold navy, emerald green, or punchy magenta, all of which are so rich and pigmented. —Lily Wohlner, Allure, 18 Aug. 2025

If red isn’t your color, the brand also offers this fall essential in plaid patterns with a wide variety of colors, like neutral beige, orange, blue, green, navy, black and white, purple, turquoise, and more. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English navie, from Anglo-French, from Latin navigia ships, from navigare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing navy

• master chief petty officer of the navy
• navy bean
• navy blue
• navy yard

Rhymes for navy

• gravy
• wavy

Kids Definition

navy

noun

na·​vy ˈnā-vē 

plural navies

1

: a fleet of ships

2

: a nation's warships

3

often capitalized : a nation's complete equipment and organization for sea warfare

4

: a dark purplish blue