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

Sabti, who was born in Tehran, said the clerical regime in the capital Tehran does not exercise solid control over the provinces, which resembles parts of South America where some governments lost sovereignty to militias. — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

This includes Iran, Iraqi militias and sleeper cells within the kingdom itself. — Ahmed Shawkat, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is backing Yemen’s military coalition, which is fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen, aiming to take back territory the militia group seized along the Red Sea. — Elahe Izadi, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026

That has included clashes among Congolese armed forces, militias and local self-defense groups known as the Wazalendo. — Elodie Toto, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 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