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

Example Sentences

Ukraine has already used them against Russian-occupied Crimea - for example hitting Russia’s Black Sea naval headquarters at Sevastopol.

From BBC

I’m talking with a Paramount publicist who is giving me a history lesson on how the Romans filled the Colosseum with water in order to stage a naval battle.

From Los Angeles Times

Now an expert in the species says she believes the whale did indeed belong to the military and escaped from a naval base in the Arctic Circle.

From BBC

"If it is proven that the kidnapping took place via a naval landing, where is the implementation of Resolution 1701?" he was quoted as saying by local media.

From BBC

Hezbollah said it clashed with Israeli troops near Lebanon's southern border on Monday and fired rockets at a naval base inside Israel near Haifa.

From BBC

Related Words

• marine
• maritime
• oceangoing
• seafaring