martial law

noun

1

: the law applied in occupied territory by the military authority of the occupying power

2

: the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety

Examples of martial law in a Sentence

The government has imposed martial law throughout the city to stop the riots.

an area placed under martial law

Recent Examples on the Web

The National Guard was brought in, imposing martial law and helping to round up and imprison Black people. —Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 24 Nov. 2025

They have been suspended under the martial law since Russia fully invaded. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025

The three are already on trial on insurrection charges relating to the martial law declaration. —Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025

According to the indictment, prosecutors say memos were found on the phone of Yeo In-hyung, former head of South Korea’s intelligence agency (also indicted), outlining plans to provoke North Korean leader Kim Jong Un into a response that could be used to justify the martial law order. —MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for martial law

• allantois
• baccarat
• chickasaw
• mackinaw
• overawe
• oversaw
• quebecois
• yojana
• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw

Kids Definition

martial law

noun

: the law applied by military forces in occupied territory or in an emergency

Legal Definition

martial law

noun

mar·​tial law

ˈmär-shəl-

1

: the law applied in occupied territory by the military authority of the occupying power

2

: the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety compare military law