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

Over in Liberty Station, meanwhile, a former navy outpost in Point Loma is being reimagined with restaurants, galleries, shops, and gardens. — Sarah Khan, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026

The television special offered a glimpse of the conversation pit, now done up with dark maroon carpet and a navy sofa with white cushions. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 10 Nov. 2026

And they've been obliterated, their navy and their air force. — Lauren Peller, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026

Mexico's navy released an image of Alvarez on social media after his arrest. — CBS News, 9 Nov. 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