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
Lauren Kent, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
Saudi military bases were built to American specifications and have often provided valuable access in times of crisis.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Lauren Kent, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
These targets include airfields, military plants, ammunition depots and warehouses, and also oil hubs and refineries, which have supplied President Vladimir Putin's military with fuel in the ongoing conflict, which began on February 24, 2022.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for military 
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Adjective
On Tuesday, the Gaza health ministry said that 92 people in the enclave had been killed in Israeli military operations since the ceasefire came into effect.
—Lauren Kent, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
Saudi military bases were built to American specifications and have often provided valuable access in times of crisis.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
The Israeli military has retained its presence along Gaza’s borders with Egypt and Israel.
—Lauren Kent, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
These targets include airfields, military plants, ammunition depots and warehouses, and also oil hubs and refineries, which have supplied President Vladimir Putin's military with fuel in the ongoing conflict, which began on February 24, 2022.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 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 16 Feb. 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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