militia

[mi-lish-uh]

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.

militia

/ mɪˈlɪʃə /

noun

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of militia¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of militia¹

C16: from Latin: soldiery, from mīles soldier

Example Sentences

He argued that historically the president has had the full authority to decide on whether to call up the militia.

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The group has launched a violent crackdown on rival militias, publicly executing several members of a powerful Palestinian family in Gaza City.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Footage has shown militia members—men and women; often elderly, slightly plump Venezuelans—running obstacle courses, crawling under barbed wire and firing rifles.

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Family members say Hamas militias raided their neighborhood, setting homes and cars ablaze and torturing and killing anyone they could find with the wrong last name.

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Last month, the Venezuelan government mobilised members of the militia and called on those who had not signed up to the civilian force to do so.

Read more on BBC