naval

adjective

na·​val ˈnā-vəl How to pronounce naval (audio)
1
obsolete : of or relating to ships or shipping
2
a
: of or relating to a navy
b
: consisting of or involving warships

Examples of naval in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The expansion of China's naval presence comes as the U.S. is preoccupied with tensions in the Middle East, prompting the repositioning of a pair of aircraft carriers—USS Carl Vinson and USS Nimitz—earlier this year and leaving a naval power gap in the western Pacific. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025 Flags at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations will also be flown at half-staff. Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 11 July 2025 According to the expedition, five major naval battles were fought there between August and December 1942, resulting in the loss of more than 20,000 lives, 111 naval vessels and 1,450 planes on all sides. Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 9 July 2025 Advertisement Gayton seized Platt again and set sail from Jamaica, keeping him in shackles for months aboard his ship before transferring him to another Royal Navy frigate, which transferred him to a third naval ship headed to England. Time, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for naval

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin navalis, from navis ship

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of naval was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Naval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naval. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

naval

adjective
na·​val ˈnā-vəl How to pronounce naval (audio)
: of or relating to a navy or warships

More from Merriam-Webster on naval

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