militia

noun

mi·​li·​tia mə-ˈli-shə 

plural militias

1

a

: a part of the organized armed forces of a country liable to call only in emergency

The militia was called to quell the riot.

b

: a body of citizens organized for military service

2

: the whole body of able-bodied male citizens declared by law as being subject to call to military service

3

: a private group of armed individuals that operates as a paramilitary force and is typically motivated by a political or religious ideology

specifically : such a group that aims to defend individual rights against government authority that is perceived as oppressive

Examples of militia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

He was commissioned a militia colonel as the British mobilized off the Georgia coast intent on retaking Savannah. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026

Fletcher came to Hartford to address an assembly of militia members from throughout the state. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026

Mapezi arrived in South Africa as a teenager 15 years ago, having fled the Democratic Republic of Congo after being gang-raped by members of a militia in the country's East. — Kate Bartlett, NPR, 25 June 2026

More than 50,000 people have been killed in the years since and ethnic militias have become deeply entrenched in local politics. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, military service, from milit-, miles

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for militia

• vicia

Kids Definition

militia

noun

mi·​li·​tia mə-ˈlish-ə 

: a body of citizens with some military training who are called to active duty only in an emergency