mil·i·tary
ˈmi-lə-ˌter-ē 
1
a
: of or relating to soldiers, arms, or war
military discipline
the country's military needs
b
: of or relating to armed forces
especially
: of or relating to ground or sometimes ground and air forces as opposed to naval forces
military and naval affairs
2
a
: performed or made by armed forces
military operations
b
: supported by armed force
a military government
3
: of or relating to the army
the military academy at West Point
plural military also militaries
1
: military persons
especially
: army officers
2
Examples of military in a Sentence
Adjective
He is being tried in a military court rather than in a civilian court.
He has had a long military career.
Noun
There were many military present but only a few civilians.
some would insist that the military's budget is still inadequate
Recent Examples on the Web
David E. Sanger, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2025
Tian allegedly gathered the materials, which included technical manuals and information about U.S. military weapons systems, and gave them to Duan in exchange for money, the Justice Department said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2025
Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
The current war dates from divisions that surfaced during the Arab Spring that were encouraged by other nations, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which involved their own militaries.
—Juwayriah Wright, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for military
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Adjective
Image Some senior Israeli officials have argued that there will never be a better moment to take out the major nuclear facilities, though American military officials believe that the Israelis would almost certainly require American equipment and support to do a thorough job.
—David E. Sanger, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2025
Tian allegedly gathered the materials, which included technical manuals and information about U.S. military weapons systems, and gave them to Duan in exchange for money, the Justice Department said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
More great reads Korean Americans are finding themselves on the hook for service in the South Korean military — all because a rapper dodged it.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
The current war dates from divisions that surfaced during the Arab Spring that were encouraged by other nations, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which involved their own militaries.
—Juwayriah Wright, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for military
Cite this Entry
“Military.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/military. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
military
1 of 2 adjective
mil·i·tary
ˈmil-ə-ˌter-ē
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of soldiers, arms, or war
military discipline
2
: carried on or supported by armed force
a military government
3
: of or relating to the army
military and naval affairs
military
2 of 2 noun
plural military
1
2
: military persons
especially
: army officers
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