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

The music executive wore a casual look for the couple’s low-key outing, consisting of a navy shirt jacket over a white T-shirt, paired with straight-leg, dark-wash denim. —Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025

What To Know According to footage released by the Chinese navy on Wednesday, the 47th and 48th escort task groups conducted a mission handover and break-off ceremony, marking the 48th task group officially taking over the escort mission from the 47th task group. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

While at the game, the couple color-coordinated their ensembles with Markle wearing a white button-down shirt with a navy sweater draped over her shoulders with dark pants, while Harry donned a navy blazer over a white T-shirt with dark trousers. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Choose from a range of elevated colors, like this inky navy or a cheery scarlet hue. —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 2 Nov. 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