military-industrial complex

[ mil-i-ter-ee-in-duhs-tree-uhl ]

noun

1. a network of a nation's military force together with all of the industries that support it.

military-industrial complex

noun

1. (in the US) the combined interests of the military establishment and industries involved in producing military material considered as exerting influence on US foreign and economic policy

military-industrial complex

1. A general term for the cooperative relationship between the military and the industrial producers of military equipment and supplies in lobbying for increased spending on military programs.

Notes

In his farewell address, President Dwight Eisenhower warned that the growth of this relationship would increase the militarization of American society and endanger the principles of democracy .

Word History and Origins

Origin of military-industrial complex¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

SpaceX fought the military-industrial complex that for decades had dominated space and has become NASA’s preferred launch partner.

From Washington Post

The suits will move on to a new high-dollar gig, write some papers and memoirs, and count the cash that accumulated in their investment accounts from the military-industrial complex during the last 20 years.

From The Daily Beast

The main flaw in the plan, Derkach says, was the cooperation it required from Ukraine’s local factory bosses and oligarchs, who control much of the military-industrial complex.

From Time

The publication aimed to zero in on subjects that had brought its three co-founders to prominence, such as national security, the military-industrial complex, terrorism and domestic surveillance.

From Washington Post

There will be fierce resistance from congressional hawks as well as invested members of the military-industrial complex.

From The Daily Beast

Kennedy faced powerful opposition in Congress and what Eisenhower dubbed “the military-industrial complex.”

From The Daily Beast

The military will be facing dire budget cuts that shake the military-industrial complex to its core.

From The Daily Beast

Eisenhower warned us about the military-industrial complex and the damage it could do to society.

From The Daily Beast

We all know the giants of the military-industrial complex: Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics.

From The Daily Beast