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

Zelensky’s presidential term officially expired in 2024, but under Ukraine’s constitution elections are not held during martial law, which was declared when Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion in February 2022. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025

Because Ukrainian law prohibits elections when martial law is in place, Zelenskyy has declined to call a vote, a stance widely supported by Ukrainians, according to the AP. —Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025

Elections in Ukraine are suspended under martial law, which Zelensky imposed in February 2022 after Russia invaded the country. —Connor Greene, Time, 9 Dec. 2025

In July, The National Assembly revised the law with stricter requirements for declaring martial law and stronger protections of the parliament. —NPR, 3 Dec. 2025

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