expeditionary

adjective

ex·​pe·​di·​tion·​ary ˌek-spə-ˈdi-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce expeditionary (audio)
: of, relating to, or being an expedition
also : sent on military service abroad
an expeditionary force

Examples of expeditionary in a Sentence

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.
The following year, the Russian military demonstrated its expeditionary capabilities in Syria. Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 16 July 2025 The Israel Defense Forces lack the expeditionary capability and the scale to play that role, which would mean U.S. forces would have to take it on. Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2025 In 2020, an American drone killed Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the expeditionary arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Axis’s fabled leader. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024 In February last year, a Dark Eagle system was deployed over 3,100 miles from Washington state to Florida for a full rehearsal of expeditionary hypersonic launch capabilities. Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for expeditionary

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of expeditionary was in 1817

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expeditionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expeditionary. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

expeditionary

adjective
ex·​pe·​di·​tion·​ary ek-spə-ˈdish-ə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce expeditionary (audio)
: sent on military service abroad
an expeditionary force
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!