militia
noun
mi·li·tia
mə-ˈli-shə 
plural militias
1
a
: a part of the organized armed forces of a country liable to call only in emergency
The militia was called to quell the riot.
b
: a body of citizens organized for military service
2
: the whole body of able-bodied male citizens declared by law as being subject to call to military service
3
: a private group of armed individuals that operates as a paramilitary force and is typically motivated by a political or religious ideology
specifically
: such a group that aims to defend individual rights against government authority that is perceived as oppressive
Examples of militia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In The Last of Us legend, Abby tortures and murders Joel to avenge the death of her father, Jerry, the lead surgeon of the Firefly rebel militia whom Joel kills to save Ellie’s life.
—
Katie Heaney, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
Despite how it’s often portrayed, including in a recent piece by The Washington Post, the facts don’t actually point to the American militia as the clear instigator.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
By the time the British troops left Boston around 2 a.m., Melvin had already rung the town’s bells, mobilizing the local militia.
—Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
Some are surprised that the Colonial militia melted away so quickly.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for militia
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Katie Heaney, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
Despite how it’s often portrayed, including in a recent piece by The Washington Post, the facts don’t actually point to the American militia as the clear instigator.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
By the time the British troops left Boston around 2 a.m., Melvin had already rung the town’s bells, mobilizing the local militia.
—Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
Some are surprised that the Colonial militia melted away so quickly.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for militia
Cite this Entry
“Militia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militia. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
militia
noun
mi·li·tia
mə-ˈlish-ə
: a body of citizens with some military training who are called to active duty only in an emergency
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