mil·i·tary
ˈmi-lə-ˌter-ē 
1
a
: of or relating to soldiers, arms, or war
military discipline/life/service
the country's military needs
a military career
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
a military coup
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
Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2025
All military guests who dine in on Veterans Day will also receive a Buy-One, Get-One bounce-back card for a future purchase.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Nov. 2025
Reuters 2 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Earlier this year, the Israeli military retrieved the body of another soldier who was killed in the 2014 war.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for military
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Adjective
Senators attached the continuing resolution to a package of spending bills addressing military construction, veterans affairs, agriculture and congressional operations.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2025
All military guests who dine in on Veterans Day will also receive a Buy-One, Get-One bounce-back card for a future purchase.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
Despite intense scrutiny and political pressure, South Korea’s military declined at the time to comment on the suspicion of conducting a drone operation.
—Reuters 2 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Earlier this year, the Israeli military retrieved the body of another soldier who was killed in the 2014 war.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 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 12 Nov. 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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