plural courts-martial also court-martials
1
: a military court : a court for people in the military who are accused of breaking military law
The officers will be tried by court-martial.
They will appear before a court-martial.
2
: a trial in a military court
The sergeant is facing a court-martial for failure to obey orders.
court-martials; US court-martialed or British court-martialled; US court-martialing or British court-martialling
: to present evidence against (someone) in a military court : to put (someone) on trial in a military court
He was court-martialed for failure to obey orders.
Cite this Entry
“Court-martial.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/court-martial. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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