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

Ukraine’s constitution bars elections from being held under martial law, which was introduced after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

South Korea shifted to a softer tone under current liberal President Lee Jae Myung, who took office last year after his conservative predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted over his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

The president imposed martial law, which prohibits elections from being held, when Russian forces invaded the country in February 2022. — Duarte Dias, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

Ukraine has not held presidential or parliamentary elections since 2019, because Ukrainian martial law, which has been in effect since the start of the invasion, prohibits elections in a time of war. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026

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