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

Uganda has succeeded in eliminating an outbreak; but Ituri province in north-eastern Congo is unstable, with ongoing conflict and roaming militias. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026

The day before, Mazloum Abdi, the leader of the large Kurdish militia, announced that his Syrian Democratic Forces would be dissolved and integrated into the national army. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026

Ruby Ridge and Waco became battle cries that catalyzed the Patriot Movement, a white supremacist militia movement that fused conspiracism and antigovernment narratives with Christian nationalism. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026

An aversion to outright war with the United States is part of the reason Iran developed its network of proxy militias. — Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 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