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
Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
If left unchecked, Netanyahu may soon succeed in forcing a mass displacement of Palestinians, preventing Trump from properly recalibrating the United States’ Middle East policy and from reducing the U.S. military footprint in the region.
—Zaha Hassan, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 2025
Juwayriah Wright, Time, 30 July 2025
The deadly attack in April escalated to a four-day military fight between India and Pakistan in the second week of May.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for military
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Adjective
In 2019, the Legislature granted districts bonuses for the number of graduates each year who leave high school achieving college, career or military readiness.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
If left unchecked, Netanyahu may soon succeed in forcing a mass displacement of Palestinians, preventing Trump from properly recalibrating the United States’ Middle East policy and from reducing the U.S. military footprint in the region.
—Zaha Hassan, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 2025
Noun
But facing mounting global outrage, the Israeli military recently announced a daily 10-hour pause in operations in certain parts of the territory to permit aid delivery.
—Juwayriah Wright, Time, 30 July 2025
The deadly attack in April escalated to a four-day military fight between India and Pakistan in the second week of May.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 30 July 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 7 Aug. 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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