martial
adjective
inclined or disposed to war; warlike.
Jump to:
martial
1 American
[mahr-shuhl]
/ ˈmɑr ʃəl /
Martial
2
American
[mahr-shuhl]
/ ˈmɑr ʃəl /
noun
Martial
1
British
/ ˈmɑːʃəl /
adjective
Martial
2
British
/ ˈmɑːʃəl /
noun
martial
3
British
/ ˈmɑːʃəl /
adjective
Usage
What does martial mean? Martial means relating to war, combat, or military life. It’s most commonly used in the phrases martial arts, martial law, and court-martial. Less commonly, martial can mean warlike or characteristic of a warrior. Example: Most marches originated as martial music that was used to help soldiers march.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of martial
1325–75; Middle English < Latin Mārtiālis of, belonging to Mars, equivalent to Mārti- (stem of Mārs ) + -ālis -al 1
Explanation
An adjective referring to the military, the word martial adds a warlike tone to any noun it describes. The word martial derives from Mars, the Roman god of war. It refers to almost much anything military, including "martial law," in which the government orders the military to administer the law. The word definitely makes one think of fighting, as in the physical discipline known as the martial arts. But there is a lighter side to the word, too. Martial music, usually associated with the military, is usually bright and inspiring.
Vocabulary lists containing martial
Did You Planet? Words With Surprisingly Spacey Origins
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Memorial Day Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
March Vocabulary Words
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Maybe I learned martial arts in past lives and I just remembered it.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026
On your YouTube channel, the most popular video by far is a short film starring Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma as a martial arts fighter.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was once the darling of foreign diplomats, with legions of supporters at home and a reputation for redeeming Myanmar from a history of iron-fisted martial rule.
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
He also has a black belt in martial arts and was part of the school’s Spanish club, according to his college recruiting profile.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
Jule had seen a guy do that once, in a martial arts gym.
From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
