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

In March 2024, the court also issued arrest warrants for Viktor Sokolov, a Russian navy officer and former commander of the Black Sea Fleet, and Sergei Kobylash, a lLieutenant general in the Russian Armed Forces. —Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 26 June 2025

The Captive, starring Julio Peña as Miguel de Cervantes, a wounded navy soldier who, after being taken captive to Algiers in 1575, tries to escape and enthralls those around him with this storytelling. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 26 June 2025

The third style pairs uppers made with the same mid-to-light wash pattern as the apparel collection with a matte navy sole and midsole. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 June 2025

It is expected to be delivered to the navy and become operational in June 2026 after completing tests and evaluations. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 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