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

Example Sentences

According to the statement, the senator could be recalled to active duty to face “court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.”

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If an order is legally ambiguous, a service member will only find out whether it was lawful to disobey at a court-martial, where a military judge decides.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Pentagon said on Monday that further action may be taken against Kelly, including a recall to active duty for court-martial or administrative measures.

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On Monday, the Department of Defense announced a probe into Kelly, saying the congressman could be recalled to face a court-martial.

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“For them to essentially threaten an investigation or court-martial is highly, highly unusual,” Nevitt said.

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Related Words

• military court www.thesaurus.com