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

While there, he was supposed to meet his counterpart, Israel Katz, and Prime Minister Netanyahu, and receive briefings aboard an Israeli navy ship off the coast of Gaza. —Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 10 May 2025

Briefings aboard an Israeli navy ship off the coast of Gaza were also on the agenda, the official says. —Barak Ravid, Axios, 9 May 2025

Pakistan has about 560,000 army troops, 70,000 in the air force, and 30,000 in its navy. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025

The bag was released earlier this year, and all three colors (black, brown, and navy) are available now for $54. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 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