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
Reuters, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Any basic person getting through military training knows that is classified information.
—CBS News, 4 May 2025
Sheera Frenkel, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
The Pakistani military and its main intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence, have been accused of directly backing jihadist terrorist groups, including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, and Jama’at-ud-Dawa.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for military
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Adjective
Romania’s president has a semi-executive role that includes commanding the armed forces and chairing the security council that decides on military aid.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Any basic person getting through military training knows that is classified information.
—CBS News, 4 May 2025
Noun
The Israeli military did not have that problem, the three officers said.
—Sheera Frenkel, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
The Pakistani military and its main intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence, have been accused of directly backing jihadist terrorist groups, including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, and Jama’at-ud-Dawa.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 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 9 May. 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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