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
Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 21 June 2026
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has killed 73,018 Palestinians, including those slain since the ceasefire, the Gaza Health Ministry said.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Deva Lee, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
For a military stung by a damning 2026 IG investigation into treatment of military working dogs, this sort of investment is quite welcome, but a deeper glance at the contract tells another story.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for military
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Adjective
Restricting the key waterway, which is crucial to the world's oil supply and has become one of the main points of negotiation in the war, comes amid continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon, according to Iran's top military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 21 June 2026
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has killed 73,018 Palestinians, including those slain since the ceasefire, the Gaza Health Ministry said.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
Noun
On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz denied that the Israeli military would withdraw from Beaufort Castle, which sits on a ridge that has seen some of the most intense fighting in recent days.
—Deva Lee, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
For a military stung by a damning 2026 IG investigation into treatment of military working dogs, this sort of investment is quite welcome, but a deeper glance at the contract tells another story.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 21 June 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 25 Jun. 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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