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 Navy : 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

Vigil Season 1, in which Jones’ Silva was enlisted to solve a murder on a navy submarine in Scottish waters, was BAFTA-nominated and won the International Emmy for Best Drama Series in 2021. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

The organization run by the British navy that helps protect commercial shipping in high-risk areas added that the crew was safe, although no damage assessment had ⁠been reported and the environmental impact was unknown. — Amin Khodadadi, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2026

After one unit went offline, the Romanian navy blasted riverbed rocks, dredged the channel, and sank barges filled with stones in an attempt to divert more water toward the plant and keep the other unit operating. — CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026

Shop in five neutrals, including navy, black, and beige, in sizes S through XXL. — Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026

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