mil·i·tary
ˈmi-lə-ˌter-ē 
1
a
: of or relating to soldiers, arms, or war
military discipline
the country's military needs
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
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
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
The Second World War had transformed the city from a quiet coastal town into a major military hub; the population was booming with federal employees.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Natasha Bertrand, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
The Israeli military conducted strikes against Hamas in Gaza after accusing the terrorist organization of repeatedly violating its ceasefire agreement on Sunday.
—Anders Hagstrom , Trey Yingst, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for military
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Adjective
His ousting from the party was announced alongside that of fellow CMC member Miao Hua, who was removed from his military position in June, as well as seven other officers.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2025
The Second World War had transformed the city from a quiet coastal town into a major military hub; the population was booming with federal employees.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
As of Tuesday, a significant percentage of all deployed US naval assets globally are also now located in US Southern Command, the US military’s command responsible for operations in the region, according to a fleet tracker published by the United States Naval Institute’s news portal.
—Natasha Bertrand, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
The Israeli military conducted strikes against Hamas in Gaza after accusing the terrorist organization of repeatedly violating its ceasefire agreement on Sunday.
—Anders Hagstrom , Trey Yingst, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 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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