mil·i·tary
ˈmi-lə-ˌter-ē 
1
a
: of or relating to soldiers, arms, or war
military discipline
the country's military needs
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
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
Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
In China’s case, infrastructure and trade development through the Belt and Road Initiative is counterbalanced with shows of military strength in the South China Sea.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 30 May 2025
But through their attacks, the Russian military can prevent the Ukrainians from redeploying units to Donetsk.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for military
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Adjective
Both sides have ramped up national security measures and grown more protective of their advanced technologies – particularly in sensitive sectors with military implications.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
In China’s case, infrastructure and trade development through the Belt and Road Initiative is counterbalanced with shows of military strength in the South China Sea.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
Noun
With Putin’s military making progress on the battlefield and American aid drying up, the Russian leader may see no advantage in backing down.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 30 May 2025
But through their attacks, the Russian military can prevent the Ukrainians from redeploying units to Donetsk.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for military
Cite this Entry
“Military.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/military. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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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