navy

noun

na·​vy ˈnā-vē 

plural navies

1

: a group of ships : fleet

2

: a nation's ships of war and of logistic support

3

often capitalized : the complete naval establishment of a nation including yards, stations, ships, and personnel

4

: a dark grayish purplish blue

Examples of navy in a Sentence

A similar submarine is used by several foreign navies.

a career in the navy

The shirt comes in black, white, and navy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Both pieces were styled in navy, with faint chalk pinstripes featured as the unifying motif for the look. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025

Beau, 18, looked dapper in a navy-blue striped suit. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025

After France and later Spain and the Netherlands entered the war with Great Britain, navies brought it to the West Indies, Western Europe, the Mediterranean, even India. —Sarah Botstein, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025

The pants also pair perfectly with this chunky navy cardigan, made from the same material, to create a complete matching set. —Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English navie, from Anglo-French, from Latin navigia ships, from navigare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing navy

• master chief petty officer of the navy
• navy bean
• navy blue
• navy yard

Rhymes for navy

• gravy
• wavy

Kids Definition

navy

noun

na·​vy ˈnā-vē 

plural navies

1

: a fleet of ships

2

: a nation's warships

3

often capitalized : a nation's complete equipment and organization for sea warfare

4

: a dark purplish blue