court-martial

[ kawrt-mahr-shuhl, -mahr-, kohrt- ]

noun

, plural courts-mar·tial, court-mar·tials.

1. a court consisting of military or naval personnel appointed by a commander to try charges of offenses by soldiers, sailors, etc., against military or naval law.
2. a trial by such a court.
3. a conviction by such a court:

   He lost his privileges because of his court-martial.

4. a session of such a court:

   He attended the court-martial this morning.

verb (used with object)

, court-mar·tialed, court-mar·tial·ing or (especially British) court-mar·tialled, court-mar·tial·ling.

1. to arraign and try by court-martial.

court martial

noun

1. a military court that tries persons subject to military law

verb

1. tr to try by court martial

Word History and Origins

Origin of court-martial¹

First recorded in 1565–75; earlier martial court

Related Words

• military court