mil·i·tary
ˈmi-lə-ˌter-ē 
1
a
: of or relating to soldiers, arms, or war
military discipline
the country's military needs
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
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
Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
When William Playfair introduced pie charts in 1801, the whole was the nation and the parts showcased population, production, or military might.
—Mara Mills, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Critics of the move worry that in nominating Caine, whom Trump has extolled as a loyalist, the president was seeking to fill top Defense leadership positions with those that wouldn’t dissent from his opinion, slanting the historically apolitical U.S. military in his favor.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for military
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Regardless of the veracity of the cable-cutter reports, Chinese technological advances that can be used for military purposes pose inherent risks.
—Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
When William Playfair introduced pie charts in 1801, the whole was the nation and the parts showcased population, production, or military might.
—Mara Mills, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
While most militaries had waded into developing various types of drones prior to 2022, Russian and Ukrainian use of uncrewed surface, ground and aerial vehicles has revolutionized how this type of technology is used in combat.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Critics of the move worry that in nominating Caine, whom Trump has extolled as a loyalist, the president was seeking to fill top Defense leadership positions with those that wouldn’t dissent from his opinion, slanting the historically apolitical U.S. military in his favor.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 1 Apr. 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 8 Apr. 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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