militia

American  

[mi-lish-uh] / mɪˈlɪʃ ə /

noun

1. a body of citizens enrolled for military service, and called out periodically for drill but serving full time only in emergencies.

2. a body of citizen soldiers as distinguished from professional soldiers.

3. all able-bodied males considered by law eligible for military service.

4. a body of citizens organized in a paramilitary group and typically regarding themselves as defenders of individual rights against the presumed interference of the federal government.

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militia British  

/ mɪˈlɪʃə /

noun

1. a body of citizen (as opposed to professional) soldiers

2. an organization containing men enlisted for service in emergency only

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Etymology

Origin of militia

1580–90; < Latin mīlitia soldiery, equivalent to mīlit- (stem of mīles ) soldier + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

It is a legitimate nation whose instability has been exploited by militias, smugglers and regional powers precisely because it lacks recognition.

From The Wall Street Journal

Civilian militias have been armed by the regime, and Venezuela has other armed groups.

From BBC

The tensions present a diplomatic challenge for the U.S. and threaten to expand conflicts in a region already battered by two years of war between Israel and Iran and its allied militias.

From The Wall Street Journal

He added that once this happens, he expects people in Hamas-held areas to shift eastward to the militias’ control.

From Los Angeles Times

The military has been fighting on several fronts, against both armed resistance groups who oppose the coup, as well as ethnic armies which have their own militias.

From BBC