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

That data is crucial to understanding and adapting to climate change and to a vast array of industries on land and at sea like aquaculture, shipping especially through icy waters, coastal tourism, agriculture and even navies, Le Traon said. —ABC News, 4 June 2026

Meanwhile, Jack looked dashing in a navy-blue suit and white button-down shirt. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 4 June 2026

As everyone already knows, Dua Lipa and Callum Turner got married at the weekend—the bride in a custom Schiaparelli skirt suit, the groom in sleek navy Ferragamo. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 June 2026

The classic sneaker begins with a white leather upper that’s primarily accented with the signature True Blue shade, a hue which lands somewhere between marine blue and navy. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 June 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