military

1 of 2

adjective

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

military

2 of 2

noun

plural military also militaries

1

: military persons

especially : army officers

2

: armed forces

Synonyms of military

Adjective

• martial
• naval
• service

Noun

• troops
• soldiers

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

Adjective

Netanyahu, who faces a tough reëlection bid next month, has vowed to continue military operations in neighboring Lebanon until Hezbollah, an Iranian ally, is disarmed and no longer a threat. — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026

Two women in Zaporizhzhia died when they were trapped beneath the rubble of their home, Zaporizhzhia’s regional military administration said. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Noun

The Pentagon chief’s expansive needs only heighten some Republicans’ skepticism of his leadership over the US military. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2026

But the two militaries already have consultation arrangements and senior communication channels. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Latin militaris, from milit-, miles soldier

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1709, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing military

• anti-military
• full military honors
• military brat
• military-industrial complex
• military police
• military press
• military science
• military service
• military time
• the military

Rhymes for military

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

Kids 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

: armed forces

2

: military persons

especially : army officers