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 case is one of seven trials facing the former conservative president, who was impeached last year following a brief imposition of martial law in December 2024 that triggered South Korea’s biggest political crisis in decades. — ABC News, 13 July 2026

Zelensky, who has remained in office under martial law because wartime elections are prohibited, has periodically reshuffled his government in an effort to bring fresh momentum to his administration. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

In late 2022, the Kremlin declared martial law in several areas along the border of Ukraine, which allows the government to seize property, restrict movement, limit public gatherings, detain foreigners and forcibly relocate residents, according to the State Department. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

People walk past the Korea Exchange (KRX) building, as stock markets in Asia as a whole have been affected by the intensifying political turmoil over president Yoon Suk Yeol's role in martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, on 9 December, 2024. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 June 2026

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