court-martial

1 of 2

noun

court-mar·​tial ˈkȯrt-ˌmär-shəl 

-ˈmär-

plural courts-martial also court-martials

1

: a court consisting of commissioned officers and in some instances enlisted personnel for the trial of members of the armed forces or others within its jurisdiction

2

: a trial by court-martial

court-martial

2 of 2

verb

court-martialed also court-martialled; court-martialing also court-martialling ˈkȯrt-ˌmär-sh(ə-)liŋ 

-ˈmär-

transitive verb

: to subject to trial by court-martial

Examples of court-martial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The base provost marshal and military police supported the driver, and Robinson was subject to court-martial. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026

Because prosecutors charged him as a civilian defendant rather than through a court-martial, his case falls under the same framework as any federal financial or national security crime. — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Verb

The base provost marshal and military police supported the driver, and Robinson was subject to court-martial. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026

Obedience carries both personal and professional risk; refusal can mean court-martial, loss of career and severe punishment if that judgment proves wrong. — Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1833, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for court-martial

• impartial
• marshal
• parshall
• partial

Video

Is It 'Attorney Generals' Or 'Attorneys General'?

'Poets laureate'? 'Court-martials'? The curious history of postpositive adjectives in English.

Kids Definition

court-martial

1 of 2 noun

court-mar·​tial

ˈkōrt-ˌmär-shəl, 

ˈkȯrt-, 

-ˈmär-

plural courts-martial also court-martials

1

: a military court

2

: a trial by court-martial

court-martial

2 of 2 verb

court-martialed also court-martialled; court-martialing also court-martialling

-ˌmärsh-(ə)-liŋ, 

-ˈmärsh-

: to try by court-martial

Legal Definition

court-martial

1 of 2 noun

court-mar·​tial

ˈkōrt-ˌmär-shəl

plural courts-martial also court-martials

1

: a court consisting of commissioned officers and in some instances enlisted personnel for the trial of members of the armed forces or others within its jurisdiction

2

: a trial by a court-martial

court-martial

2 of 2 transitive verb

court-martialed also court-martialled; court-martialing also court-martialling

: to subject to trial by court-martial