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
MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025
But the remarkable military buildup in the Southern Caribbean — around a tenth of the American global fleet is now deployed in the area — marks a new phase in tensions between Washington and Caracas.
—Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025
Is not a military against military action.
—CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for military
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Adjective
Turkey is rapidly advancing its strategy to move away from dependence on foreign military hardware, developing its next-generation Kaan fighter jet and the Mugem aircraft carrier program.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025
But the remarkable military buildup in the Southern Caribbean — around a tenth of the American global fleet is now deployed in the area — marks a new phase in tensions between Washington and Caracas.
—Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
Noun
The following day, both the Chinese military, through the Southern Theater Command, and the Chinese coast guard carried out separate patrols around Scarborough Shoal as part of efforts to strengthen control of the area and safeguard territorial sovereignty.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025
Is not a military against military action.
—CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for military
Cite this Entry
“Military.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/military. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.
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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