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
Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
Soon, there could be military boots on the ground crossing into the Islamic Republic of Iran from this terrain of fertile valleys, deep gorges and ancient Mesopotamian trade routes perched below the mountainous border dividing Iraq and Iran.
—Younes Mohammad, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
The Green Berets left the Haitian military and police in charge, but only with enough weapons to defend themselves from the angry mob outside.
—Will Croxton, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for military
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Adjective
Russia's Defense Ministry on Saturday said the nighttime strikes targeted energy and industrial facilities serving Ukraine's armed forces, as well as military airfields.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
Soon, there could be military boots on the ground crossing into the Islamic Republic of Iran from this terrain of fertile valleys, deep gorges and ancient Mesopotamian trade routes perched below the mountainous border dividing Iraq and Iran.
—Younes Mohammad, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
Israel's military says Iran is firing cluster bombs that can evade some air defenses and scatter submunitions across multiple locations.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
The Green Berets left the Haitian military and police in charge, but only with enough weapons to defend themselves from the angry mob outside.
—Will Croxton, CBS News, 15 Mar. 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 16 Mar. 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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