militia
noun
mi·li·tia
mə-ˈli-shə 
plural militias
1
a
: a part of the organized armed forces of a country liable to call only in emergency
The militia was called to quell the riot.
b
: a body of citizens organized for military service
2
: the whole body of able-bodied male citizens declared by law as being subject to call to military service
3
: a private group of armed individuals that operates as a paramilitary force and is typically motivated by a political or religious ideology
specifically
: such a group that aims to defend individual rights against government authority that is perceived as oppressive
Examples of militia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the time, leaders estimated that 312 militia and citizens had been killed.
—
Emily Blackwood, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has criticized the pardoning of the Capitol rioters, including members of the Proud Boys, Three Percenters, and Oath Keepers militia groups.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
Full normalization of ties would require an indefinite cap on enrichment, verifiable limits to Tehran’s missile program, and a cutoff of weapons and training for militia groups.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
In return, the Kurdish militias ceased their armed resistance to the regime, thus weakening the larger opposition movement.
—Halil Karaveli, Foreign Affairs, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for militia 
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Emily Blackwood, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has criticized the pardoning of the Capitol rioters, including members of the Proud Boys, Three Percenters, and Oath Keepers militia groups.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
Full normalization of ties would require an indefinite cap on enrichment, verifiable limits to Tehran’s missile program, and a cutoff of weapons and training for militia groups.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
In return, the Kurdish militias ceased their armed resistance to the regime, thus weakening the larger opposition movement.
—Halil Karaveli, Foreign Affairs, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for militia
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Dictionary Entries Near militia
Cite this Entry
“Militia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militia. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
militia
noun
mi·li·tia
mə-ˈlish-ə
: a body of citizens with some military training who are called to active duty only in an emergency
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