martial law

noun

1

: the law applied in occupied territory by the military authority of the occupying power

2

: the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety

Examples of martial law in a Sentence

The government has imposed martial law throughout the city to stop the riots.

an area placed under martial law

Recent Examples on the Web

The island only held its first democratic elections in the early 1990s, following decades of martial law under the KMT. —Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026

Back then, Cheng was known for her criticism of the KMT, which ruled Taiwan under martial law until 1987. —Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 4 Apr. 2026

Violence was so prevalent that, in 1871, Grant invoked martial law in South Carolina. —Kori Schake, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026

When then- President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law imposition in late 2024 triggered the most severe crisis for the country’s democracy in decades, protesters gathered in the square, calling for his ouster. —ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for martial law

• allantois
• baccarat
• chickasaw
• mackinaw
• overawe
• oversaw
• quebecois
• yojana
• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw

Kids Definition

martial law

noun

: the law applied by military forces in occupied territory or in an emergency

Legal Definition

martial law

noun

mar·​tial law

ˈmär-shəl-

1

: the law applied in occupied territory by the military authority of the occupying power

2

: the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety compare military law