mil·i·tary
ˈmi-lə-ˌter-ē 
1
a
: of or relating to soldiers, arms, or war
military discipline
the country's military needs
b
: of or relating to armed forces
especially
: of or relating to ground or sometimes ground and air forces as opposed to naval forces
military and naval affairs
2
a
: performed or made by armed forces
military operations
b
: supported by armed force
a military government
3
: of or relating to the army
the military academy at West Point
plural military also militaries
1
: military persons
especially
: army officers
2
Synonyms
Examples of military in a Sentence
Adjective
He is being tried in a military court rather than in a civilian court.
He has had a long military career.
Noun
There were many military present but only a few civilians.
some would insist that the military's budget is still inadequate
Recent Examples on the Web
David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
So, the beloved military shooter series is basically confirmed for Switch 2.
—Jordan Minor, PCMAG, 18 Jan. 2025
Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
The report said Chinese doctrinal writings have called for using surprise attacks to destroy and paralyze an opponent's air force on the ground to seize air dominance, and the Chinese military has been building the appropriate capabilities to carry out such a series of attacks.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for military 
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Adjective
There was also a strike by Kyiv on a depot in Russia's Tula Oblast, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
So, the beloved military shooter series is basically confirmed for Switch 2.
—Jordan Minor, PCMAG, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
Despite these advancements, however, China’s military also faces serious obstacles.
—Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
The report said Chinese doctrinal writings have called for using surprise attacks to destroy and paralyze an opponent's air force on the ground to seize air dominance, and the Chinese military has been building the appropriate capabilities to carry out such a series of attacks.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for military
Dictionary Entries Near military
Cite this Entry
“Military.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/military. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
military
1 of 2 adjective
mil·i·tary
ˈmil-ə-ˌter-ē
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of soldiers, arms, or war
military discipline
2
: carried on or supported by armed force
a military government
3
: of or relating to the army
military and naval affairs
military
2 of 2 noun
plural military
1
2
: military persons
especially
: army officers
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