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
Alexandra Rockey Fleming, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
The Commerce Department made clear that the easing does not apply to military or sensitive uses.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
But dozens of buildings have been destroyed beyond the yellow line in areas effectively under Hamas control, where the Israeli military had agreed to halt its operations.
—Samuel Granados, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for military
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
In August 2023, military family members of the dead were invited to a roundtable to discuss the aftermath of the attack.
—Alexandra Rockey Fleming, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
The Commerce Department made clear that the easing does not apply to military or sensitive uses.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
White House officials have since outlined potential options for him, with briefings scheduled this week on possible responses that could include military, cyber and economic measures, according to MS Now and other media outlets.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
But dozens of buildings have been destroyed beyond the yellow line in areas effectively under Hamas control, where the Israeli military had agreed to halt its operations.
—Samuel Granados, New York Times, 12 Jan. 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 14 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share