demilitarize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to deprive of military character; free from militarism.
-
to place under civil instead of military control.
-
to forbid military use of (a border zone).
verb
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to remove any military presence or function in (an area)
demilitarized zone
-
to free of military character, purpose, etc
11 regiments were demilitarized
Other Word Forms
- demilitarization noun
Etymology
Origin of demilitarize
First recorded in 1880–85; de- + militarize
Explanation
To demilitarize is to remove all armed forces from an area. When a country brings its troops home at the end of a war, they demilitarize the region. When a government removes its military forces, it demilitarizes the area those troops once occupied. This can happen because a conflict has ended, or for political or financial reasons. Removing military-grade weapons is also known as demilitarizing. If you retrofitted an old Army tank to be a food truck, you'd need to demilitarize it first. Demilitarize is made up of the prefix de-, or "not," and militarize, from the Latin militaris, "warlike."
Vocabulary lists containing demilitarize
Fighting Words: Belli and Milit
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bel and milit
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Chapter 28: The Cold War Era
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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.
Morgenthau’s plan to demilitarize and deindustrialize Germany was seized upon by the failing Nazi regime as a propaganda tool, and the Truman administration ultimately rejected it.
From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026
Lebanese officials say they are on pace to demilitarize southern Lebanon as part of the agreement that halted hostility between Israel and Hezbollah in late 2024.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025
The move shows a change in tact by Casto, who has previously criticized the role of the military in previous administrations and pledged to "demilitarize citizen security" during her presidential campaign.
From Reuters • Apr. 3, 2023
The question is, how can antagonistic nations demilitarize safely, without raising the risk of preemptive attacks?
From Scientific American • Sep. 28, 2022
Kyiv is seeking international assistance to try and demilitarize the area.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 31, 2022
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.
