basic training

noun

: the initial period of training of a military recruit

Examples of basic training in a Sentence

Our son is in basic training.

Recent Examples on the Web

Both the Army and Navy have created programs to get applicants up to snuff with physical and academic standards in pre-basic training camps to come into compliance to serve, moves which have served as short-term silver bullets for their recruiting issues. —Steven Beynon, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026

His job was to give basic training to over 8,000 Ukrainian soldiers. —Holly Williams, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026

The Washington Post reported earlier this month that ICE removed about 240 hours of basic training from its program, equivalent to about 40% of instructional time, according to government records. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026

Russian forces have reduced basic training for personnel involved in ground assaults from one month to one week, probably because of heavy casualties, according to Maksym Bilousov, spokesman for a Ukrainian unit in the east. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for basic training

• appertaining
• ascertaining
• entertaining
• uncomplaining
• abstaining
• attaining
• campaigning
• complaining
• constraining
• containing
• detaining
• disdaining

Kids Definition

basic training

noun

: the first part of training for a military recruit