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

They were seen as a ragtag militia, a Saudi and Emirati problem, and a humanitarian story. — Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026

The attack on the East-West oil pipeline originated in Iraq, where Iran continues to operate proxy militias, according to government officials in Riyadh and Baghdad. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

On Friday, Iraqi Shia militias affiliated with Iran struck the east-west pipeline, shutting it down temporarily. — Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

The government and its allies — a mix of militias — hold the south and east, including the biggest port, Aden, and Yemen’s oil fields. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, military service, from milit-, miles

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for militia

• vicia

Kids 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