naval

[ ney-vuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to warships:

   a naval battle; naval strength.

2. of or relating to ships of all kinds:

   naval architecture; naval engineer.

3. belonging to, pertaining to, or connected with a navy:

   naval affairs.

4. possessing a navy:

   the great naval powers.

naval

/ ˈneɪvəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, characteristic of, or having a navy
2. of or relating to ships; nautical

Other Words From

• naval·ly adverb
• non·naval adjective
• pre·naval adjective
• pro·naval adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of naval¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin nāvālis, equivalent to nāv(is) “ship” + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of naval¹

C16: from Latin nāvālis, from nāvis ship; related to Greek naus, Old Norse nōr ship, Sanskrit nau

Related Words

• marine
• maritime
• oceangoing
• seafaring