martial law

noun

1
: the law applied in occupied territory by the military authority of the occupying power
2
: the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety

Examples of martial law in a Sentence

The government has imposed martial law throughout the city to stop the riots. an area placed under martial law
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 country’s democracy will face serious struggles, even if Yoon’s night of martial law is just a bad memory. John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2025 Yoon rescinded his martial law after about six hours after lawmakers, confronting soldiers in parliament, voted down the decree. Reuters, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2025 Why? Claude Joseph, the foreign minister and acting prime minister at that time, declared a state of siege and imposed martial law. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025 In early December, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, then quickly abandoned it hours later. Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for martial law 

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of martial law was in 1576

Dictionary Entries Near martial law

Cite this Entry

“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martial%20law. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

martial law

noun
: the law applied by military forces in occupied territory or in an emergency

Legal Definition

martial law

noun
mar·​tial law
ˈmär-shəl-
1
: the law applied in occupied territory by the military authority of the occupying power
2
: the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety compare military law

More from Merriam-Webster on martial law

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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