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

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Yoon rescinded his martial law after about six hours after lawmakers, confronting soldiers in parliament, voted down the decree.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

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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