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 latter party faced a crisis late last year when former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, a decision that ultimately led to his impeachment and removal from office. —David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025

The ruling Chinese Communist Party, then led by the aging Deng Xiaoping, declared martial law, and in early June, the army moved in with rifles and tanks and opened fire on the protesters and bystanders in the square and the surrounding streets. —Peter Leyden, Big Think, 7 Oct. 2025

This is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025

Under martial law, elections can't be held. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 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