Marine Corps

American  

noun

1. a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces trained for land, sea, and air combat, typically for land combat in conjunction with an amphibious or airborne landing, and whose commandant is responsible to the secretary of the navy.

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Etymology

Origin of Marine Corps

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Matt served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as an infantry squad leader and gunnery sergeant in the Marine Corps.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Marine Corps also operates a fleet of KC-130 aircraft made by Lockheed Martin that are used to refuel helicopters and other aircraft.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Some bases, including the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, are warning that people may experience delays at entry gates and visitor centers as a result.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

A new missile-toting Marine Corps unit designed for an island-hopping fight is also based on Okinawa.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

At dawn and according to the strict schedule Colonel Meecham had plotted in Atlanta, they had come within sixty-five miles of the Marine Corps air station at Ravenel.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy