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

In the meantime, however, it must be brought to heel on its nuclear ambitions, missiles, and regional proxy militias. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

Since then, Israel has significantly weakened Hamas, and another Iranian ally, Syria’s leader, Bashar al-Assad, was toppled by local militias. —Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 24 June 2025

But the last 20 months of fighting have seen Israel cripple militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah while the U.S. has subdued Iraqi militias. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025

Citizens face nightly curfews, and armed militia march on public streets. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, military service, from milit-, miles

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for militia

• adventitia
• 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