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 question of which side can outlast the other is a sobering one, said Eyal Pinko, a former naval commander who does research at Bar Ilan University outside Tel Aviv. —Gerry Doyle, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026

The regime’s proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as US naval and commercial vessels and international shipping lanes. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026

The president did mention naval sites. —Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026

The strikes have already killed an unknown number of Iranian leaders and civilians; Iran has retaliated by striking American allies in the Middle East and an American naval base in Bahrain. —Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 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