mil·i·tary
ˈmi-lə-ˌter-ē 
1
a
: of or relating to soldiers, arms, or war
military discipline/life/service
the country's military needs
a military career
b
: of or relating to armed forces
especially
: of or relating to ground or sometimes ground and air forces as opposed to naval forces
military and naval affairs
2
a
: performed or made by armed forces
military operations
b
: supported by armed force
a military government
a military coup
3
: of or relating to the army
the military academy at West Point
plural military also militaries
1
: military persons
especially
: army officers
2
Examples of military in a Sentence
Adjective
He is being tried in a military court rather than in a civilian court.
He has had a long military career.
Noun
There were many military present but only a few civilians.
some would insist that the military's budget is still inadequate
Recent Examples on the Web
Sam McNeil, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
Putin’s wars in Chechnya, Georgia and Syria, as well as military action in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, had delivered him success at a relatively low cost.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Likewise, the reputation of invincibility surrounding Russia’s vast military has also been dented.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for military
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Adjective
Poland is already working with Ukraine on drone technology in joint military training programs and manufacturing projects.
—Sam McNeil, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
Putin’s wars in Chechnya, Georgia and Syria, as well as military action in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, had delivered him success at a relatively low cost.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
According to the Courier Journal, the Mexican military also learned Oseguera's hiding spot and headed to get him in two military helicopters in May 2015.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Likewise, the reputation of invincibility surrounding Russia’s vast military has also been dented.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for military
Cite this Entry
“Military.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/military. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
military
1 of 2 adjective
mil·i·tary
ˈmil-ə-ˌter-ē
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of soldiers, arms, or war
military discipline
2
: carried on or supported by armed force
a military government
3
: of or relating to the army
military and naval affairs
military
2 of 2 noun
plural military
1
2
: military persons
especially
: army officers
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