naval

adjective

na·​val ˈnā-vəl 

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

The design has already received Approval in Principle from the American Bureau of Shipping, confirming compliance with high-speed naval craft standards. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026

While thousands of naval accidents are mentioned in historical and archival sources, many wrecks remain undiscovered because there has so far been little archaeological study of the history buried under the waters. —Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026

The naval blockade of Iranian ports stays on. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026

In 2020, two Chinese nationals who were pursuing master’s degrees at the University of Michigan were sentenced to prison for illegally taking photographs at a naval air station in Key West, Florida. —ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin navalis, from navis ship

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing naval

• chief of naval operations
• naval architect
• naval stores

Rhymes for naval

• navel
• primaeval

Kids Definition

naval

adjective

na·​val ˈnā-vəl 

: of or relating to a navy or warships