militia
noun
mi·li·tia
mə-ˈli-shə 
plural militias
1
a
: a part of the organized armed forces of a country liable to call only in emergency
The militia was called to quell the riot.
b
: a body of citizens organized for military service
2
: the whole body of able-bodied male citizens declared by law as being subject to call to military service
3
: a private group of armed individuals that operates as a paramilitary force and is typically motivated by a political or religious ideology
specifically
: such a group that aims to defend individual rights against government authority that is perceived as oppressive
Examples of militia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That war triggered Israel’s devastating destruction of the Gaza Strip and sequential destruction of Iran’s militia proxies, most notably Hezbollah in Lebanon, whose devastating defeat last September-October empowered Islamist rebels to overthrow Bashar al-Assad in Syria in December.
—
Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Iran has also for years militarily and financially supported regional militia groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hamas in Gaza, that have pressured or attacked Israel on multiple fronts.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Proxy Forces Iran's network of proxy groups—which includes the Houthis in Yemen, Iraqi militias, Palestinian factions, and Hezbollah in Lebanon—is capable of carrying out rocket attacks, sabotage, and covert operations.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
The militia, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, said its fighters had attacked Hamas and killed five militants but made no mention of its own casualties.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
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Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Iran has also for years militarily and financially supported regional militia groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hamas in Gaza, that have pressured or attacked Israel on multiple fronts.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Proxy Forces Iran's network of proxy groups—which includes the Houthis in Yemen, Iraqi militias, Palestinian factions, and Hezbollah in Lebanon—is capable of carrying out rocket attacks, sabotage, and covert operations.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
The militia, led by Yasser Abu Shabab, said its fighters had attacked Hamas and killed five militants but made no mention of its own casualties.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for militia
Cite this Entry
“Militia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militia. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
militia
noun
mi·li·tia
mə-ˈlish-ə
: a body of citizens with some military training who are called to active duty only in an emergency
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