mil·i·tary
ˈmi-lə-ˌter-ē 
1
a
: of or relating to soldiers, arms, or war
military discipline/life/service
the country's military needs
a military career
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
a military coup
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
Corky Carroll, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
Araghchi questioned whether the latest military exchange was meant to pressure Iran into a peace deal or the result of someone persuading the president of the United States (POTUS) to extend the conflict.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Russia’s counterinsurgency tactics, effective when used with the backing of the full Russian military, also haven’t meshed well with the central Sahel states.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for military
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Adjective
So there were police and military checkpoints all over the place looking for guns and/or drugs.
—Corky Carroll, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
Araghchi questioned whether the latest military exchange was meant to pressure Iran into a peace deal or the result of someone persuading the president of the United States (POTUS) to extend the conflict.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Noun
No injuries were reported, and authorities are investigating the source of the projectile, according to the British military.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Russia’s counterinsurgency tactics, effective when used with the backing of the full Russian military, also haven’t meshed well with the central Sahel states.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
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 May. 2026.
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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