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

Meanwhile, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard on Friday disputed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim a day earlier that Iran's navy was sunk and its air force is in tatters, and that Iran's ability to produce ballistic missiles was taken out. —CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026

The usual navy and white dressings were replaced by the NCAA’s vibrant blue and orange color scheme, and March Madness banners covered every table and railing around the perimeter of the court. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Iran’s navy was sunk and its air force in tatters, while adding that its ability to produce ballistic missiles had been taken out. —Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026

Neither Police Scotland nor the navy would confirm that detail. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 20 Mar. 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