court-martial
Americannoun
plural
courts-martial, court-martials-
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.
-
a trial by such a court.
-
a conviction by such a court.
He lost his privileges because of his court-martial.
-
a session of such a court.
He attended the court-martial this morning.
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
Etymology
Origin of court-martial
First recorded in 1565–75; earlier martial court
Explanation
A court-martial is a special legal trial for members of the military. When someone in the armed forces is accused of a crime, they are usually subject to court-martial. Court-martial is the official name of a military court, or for a trial within that kind of court. Active military members are subject to a separate set of laws from civilians, and part of that military legal process involves facing a judge in a court-martial. Criminal offenses like theft and assault are tried this way, as are military-specific crimes like desertion. Martial means "pertaining to war."
Vocabulary lists containing court-martial
Fallen Angels
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The Martian
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The Judicial Branch
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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.
In 2021, a court-martial dismissed Villamide for negligence and sentenced other officers to up to 45 days in jail for concealing information.
From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026
All of this may be of little practical concern since the chances of your ever actually facing a court-martial for obeying these particular unlawful orders are slim to zero.
From Slate • Nov. 24, 2025
When retired servicemembers come back to face court-martial proceedings, it’s usually related to allegations from their time in active duty, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025
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.
From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025
The president of the court-martial began his final speech when Arcadio realized that two hours had passed.
From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
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.
