court-martial

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

noun

plural

courts-martial, court-martials 

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-martialed, court-martialing , court-martialled, court-martialling .

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 www.thesaurus.com