navy

noun

na·​vy ˈnā-vē 

plural navies

1

: a group of ships : fleet

2

: a nation's ships of war and of logistic support

3

often capitalized : the complete naval establishment of a nation including yards, stations, ships, and personnel

4

: a dark grayish purplish blue

Examples of navy in a Sentence

A similar submarine is used by several foreign navies.

a career in the navy

The shirt comes in black, white, and navy.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Dutch defense ministry said its navy had taken over from the British ship once the Russian submarine passed into Dutch waters. —Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

The cute sweater is available in navy or merlot, a colorway that works great from fall into winter! —Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025

The British navy had destroyed the first attempt to print the most important early English poem. —Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025

The French fashion house’s new ads, which break in print on Thursday, show Stone and fellow brand ambassador Hoyeon touting the Capucines and Side Trunk bags in fall-friendly colors ranging from cognac to deep navy and taupe. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English navie, from Anglo-French, from Latin navigia ships, from navigare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing navy

• master chief petty officer of the navy
• navy bean
• navy blue
• navy yard

Rhymes for navy

• gravy
• wavy

Kids Definition

navy

noun

na·​vy ˈnā-vē 

plural navies

1

: a fleet of ships

2

: a nation's warships

3

often capitalized : a nation's complete equipment and organization for sea warfare

4

: a dark purplish blue