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

These efforts have mostly failed: the elections took place, Putin’s imposition of martial law was only partial, and the borders remain open. —Tatiana Stanovaya, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2023

The dictatorship in Poland, under pressure from Moscow, had just imposed martial law. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 20 Sep. 2024

Afterward, Israel imposed martial law in the region, yet Jewish settlement in the occupied area began immediately afterward. —Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2024

In Portugal, a totalitarian regime imposes martial law that prevents people from moving freely. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2024

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