military

[ mil-i-ter-ee ]

adjective

1. of, for, or pertaining to the army or armed forces, often as distinguished from the navy:

   from civilian to military life.

2. of, for, or pertaining to war:

   military preparedness.

3. of or relating to soldiers.

   Synonyms: martial, soldierly

4. befitting, characteristic of, or noting a soldier:

   a military bearing.

5. following the life of a soldier:

   a military career.

6. performed by soldiers:

   military duty.

noun

, plural mil·i·tar·ies, mil·i·tar·y.

1. the military,
   1. the military establishment of a nation; the armed forces.
   2. military personnel, especially commissioned officers, taken collectively:

      the bar, the press, and the military.

military

/ ˈmɪlɪtərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to the armed forces (esp the army), warlike matters, etc
2. of, characteristic of, or about soldiers

noun

1. the military
   the armed services (esp the army)

Derived Forms

• ˈmilitarily, adverb

Other Words From

• mil·i·tar·i·ly [mil-i-, tair, -, uh, -lee, mil, -i-ter-, uh, -lee], adverb
• mili·tari·ness noun
• anti·mili·tary adjective
• non·mili·tary adjective
• pre·mili·tary adjective
• pro·mili·tary adjective
• pseudo·mili·tari·ly adverb
• pseudo·mili·tary adjective
• quasi-mili·tary adjective
• super·mili·tary adjective noun
• unmil·i·tari·ly adverb
• un·mili·tary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of military¹

1575–85; < Latin mīlitāri ( s ), equivalent to mīlit- (stem of mīles ) soldier + -āris -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of military¹

C16: via French from Latin mīlitāris, from mīles soldier

Example Sentences

His choice for defence secretary, for example, has called for a purge of military chiefs enacting “woke” policies.

From BBC

One clear theme that's emerged in recent days is the prominence of China hawks in his proposed team - those who believe Beijing poses a serious threat to US economic and military dominance and want to challenge this more forcefully.

From BBC

The president relied on the military, rather than the police, to fight organized crime groups, which are among Mexico’s largest employers.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump’s novice Defense secretary pick and report of a planned ‘warrior board’ fuel concerns in some circles over the sanctity of the military’s apolitical traditions.

From Los Angeles Times

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, John and David discuss military service and brain trauma with Dave Philipps of The New York Times.

From Slate

Related Words

• naval