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

The Israeli military says 80 of its soldiers were killed in attacks by Hezbollah and allied militias, and at least 45 civilians. —Jane Arraf, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025

In his latest motion, Newsom argued that sending the Guard to Oregon was part of a broader effort to federalize state militias and keep them under the administration’s control indefinitely, to be used throughout the country like a militarized law enforcement agency. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Famine has spread to two new regions in Sudan, including a major city in the Darfur region where a militia has reportedly carried out mass killings and sent tens of thousands fleeing in the last week. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 3 Nov. 2025

Yet, despite this military setback, the militia in Lebanon shows no intention of relinquishing its weapons. —Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 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