martial

adjective

mar·​tial ˈmär-shəl 

1

: of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior

martial music

a martial tone of voice

—Tim Appelo

martial prowess

2

: relating to an army or to military life

martial discipline

stories of martial tradition

—Ewen Macaskill

3

: experienced in or inclined to war : warlike

its martial people fought the British to a standstill

—Mary Anne Weaver

martially

ˈmär-shə-lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Martial and Roman Mythology

Mars was the Roman god of war and one of the patron gods of Rome itself. He was responsible for everything military, from warriors to weapons to marching music. Thus, martial arts are skills of combat and self-defense also practiced as sport. When martial law is declared, a country's armed forces take over the functions of the police. And a court-martial is a military court or trial.

Synonyms

• military

Examples of martial in a Sentence

the marching band played “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and several other martial airs

one of the basic tenets of martial law

Recent Examples on the Web

Regardless of your martial status, this dish unites all those flavors with the umami-deep flavors of steak and beef broth. —Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025

For Garner, footy is a bridge between the naturally martial instincts of men and the peace upon which rational civilization depends. —Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025

Most promising is The Smashing Machine, the new sports biopic of mixed martial artist Mark Kerr from director Benny Safdie and starring Dwayne Johnson. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025

As recently as this summer, Robinson boasted about his role in co-creating, bankrolling, and starring in Legacy of Lies, an action movie headlined by John Wick martial artist Scott Adkins. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin martialis of Mars, from Mart-, Mars

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing martial

• court-martial
• drumhead court-martial
• martial art
• martial law
• mixed martial arts

Rhymes for martial

• marshal
• parshall
• partial
• impartial

Kids Definition

martial

adjective

mar·​tial ˈmär-shəl 

1

: of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior

martial music

2

: of or relating to an army or to military life

martial discipline

martially

-shə-lē 

adverb

Etymology

Middle English martial "relating to or suited for war," from Latin martialis "of Mars," from Mars "god of war"

Biographical Definition

Martial

biographical name

Mar·​tial ˈmär-shəl 

circa a.d. 40–circa 103 Marcus Valerius Martialis Roman epigrammatist