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
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
Facing growing criticism over military restrictions in disaster zones, Venezuela’s interim government on Thursday defended its decision to militarize the state of La Guaira as the death toll from last week’s earthquakes climbed to 2,595.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Another report, released in May by the Institute for the Study of War, determined Russia had lost control of 116 square kilometers in April alone, and that its military’s rate of advancement had been shrinking since November 2025.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for military
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show current usage.
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Adjective
The display will be part of Freedom 250's Salute to America Celebration, which the group said will also include military flyovers and a huge military ensemble.
—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
Facing growing criticism over military restrictions in disaster zones, Venezuela’s interim government on Thursday defended its decision to militarize the state of La Guaira as the death toll from last week’s earthquakes climbed to 2,595.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
Noun
Sybiha, the Ukrainian foreign minister, said in April that the country’s weapons factories meet up to 75% of its military’s needs.
—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Another report, released in May by the Institute for the Study of War, determined Russia had lost control of 116 square kilometers in April alone, and that its military’s rate of advancement had been shrinking since November 2025.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
2 July 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 4 Jul. 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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