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
Synonyms
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
Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 13 Nov. 2024
Israel is a foreign power that has already invaded Lebanon three times and launched smaller but still devastating military operations.
—Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
His son was killed last year in the Gaza war against Palestinian militant group Hamas while serving with the Israeli military.
—Reuters, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for military 
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Adjective
Yet, according to a February study by the Pew Research Center, 32% of Americans believe a military regime or an authoritarian leader would be a better way of governing the country.
—Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 13 Nov. 2024
Israel is a foreign power that has already invaded Lebanon three times and launched smaller but still devastating military operations.
—Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
Noun
In that time frame, Israel’s military has killed hundreds of militants and thousands of civilians.
—Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
His son was killed last year in the Gaza war against Palestinian militant group Hamas while serving with the Israeli military.
—Reuters, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for military
Dictionary Entries Near military
Cite this Entry
“Military.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/military. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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