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 Skims founder, who wore her waist-length hair in a braid, paired a navy cropped bomber jacket with striped track pants, accessorizing with oversized sunglasses. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 16 Sep. 2026

Tory Burch styled turquoise and navy, and Henry Zankov delivered teal on the runway this season for Diane von Furstenberg. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Gigi Hadid opened the runway as an orchestra — who were dressed within the Hilfiger universe in denim trousers, navy blazers and ties, with flashes of red socks — played live. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026

Go for a classic London Fog cotton blend coat, available in khaki, navy, or black; or this water-repellent cotton twill trench coat from Aritzia, which comes in a wide array of subtle colors and patterns. — Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 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