martial

adjective

mar·​tial ˈmär-shəl 

1

: of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior

martial music

a martial tone of voice

—Tim Appelo

martial prowess

2

: relating to an army or to military life

martial discipline

stories of martial tradition

—Ewen Macaskill

3

: experienced in or inclined to war : warlike

its martial people fought the British to a standstill

—Mary Anne Weaver

martially

ˈmär-shə-lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Martial and Roman Mythology

Mars was the Roman god of war and one of the patron gods of Rome itself. He was responsible for everything military, from warriors to weapons to marching music. Thus, martial arts are skills of combat and self-defense also practiced as sport. When martial law is declared, a country's armed forces take over the functions of the police. And a court-martial is a military court or trial.

Synonyms

• military
• soldierly

Examples of martial in a Sentence

the marching band played “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and several other martial airs

one of the basic tenets of martial law

Recent Examples on the Web

Patek Philippe Ellipse Irish professional mixed martial artist and boxer Conor McGregor was spotted this week wearing a vintage Patek Philippe Ellipse in yellow gold, Ref. —Sophie Furley, Robb Report, 2 Feb. 2025

The legendary martial artist’s collaborations with directors Gordon Chan, Woo-Ping Yuen and Corey Yuen will debut on digital platforms Feb. 18. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025

Our first ever award for Best Achievement in Stunts went to actor and martial artist Scott Adkins, a.k.a. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2025

This celebration of Asian and African-American solidarity through art, music and dance includes performances by Black and Asian martial artists, Dimensions Dance Theater, Destiny Arts Center, Amihan and the Great Wall Youth Orchestra. —Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin martialis of Mars, from Mart-, Mars

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing martial

• court-martial
• drumhead court-martial
• martial art
• martial law
• mixed martial arts

Kids Definition

martial

adjective

mar·​tial ˈmär-shəl 

1

: of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior

martial music

2

: of or relating to an army or to military life

martial discipline

martially

-shə-lē 

adverb

Etymology

Middle English martial "relating to or suited for war," from Latin martialis "of Mars," from Mars "god of war"

Biographical Definition

Martial

biographical name

Mar·​tial ˈmär-shəl 

circa a.d. 40–circa 103 Marcus Valerius Martialis Roman epigrammatist