navy

noun

na·​vy ˈnā-vē How to pronounce navy (audio)
plural navies
1
: a group of ships : fleet
2
: a nation's ships of war and of logistic support
3
often capitalized : the complete naval establishment of a nation including yards, stations, ships, and personnel
4
: a dark grayish purplish blue

Examples of navy in a Sentence

A similar submarine is used by several foreign navies. a career in the navy The shirt comes in black, white, and navy.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For today’s Wales v England match in Cardiff, however, the Princess wore the polar opposite of a headline-generating look: a navy, military-style coat over a classic black turtleneck. Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2025 The Chinese military, which has the largest navy in the world thanks to its world-beating shipbuilding industry, did not send any of its aircraft carriers to sea. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 The Best State Parks In Alabama, According To A Local Cape Henlopen State Park Lewes, Delaware Huge sand dunes on the Cape Henlopen shoreline housed U.S. defenses to protect the country from the German navy during World War II and from Soviet submarines during the Cold War. Casey Barber, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025 The search includes search and rescue, the Dominican navy, helicopters, boats, drones and law enforcement dogs, authorities said. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for navy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English navie, from Anglo-French, from Latin navigia ships, from navigare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of navy was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Navy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/navy. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

navy

noun
na·​vy ˈnā-vē How to pronounce navy (audio)
plural navies
1
: a fleet of ships
2
: a nation's warships
3
often capitalized : a nation's complete equipment and organization for sea warfare
4
: a dark purplish blue

More from Merriam-Webster on navy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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