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
David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 16 May 2026
The existence of the secret Israeli military facility was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, which described it as a base housing special forces and serving as a logistical hub for the Israeli air force.
—Arkansas Online, 16 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
As recently as 2024, Congress was infusing Israel with an additional $15 billion in military aid to carry out its war with Hamas.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 16 May 2026
The existence of the secret Israeli military facility was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, which described it as a base housing special forces and serving as a logistical hub for the Israeli air force.
—Arkansas Online, 16 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 17 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
