martial
adjective
inclined or disposed to war; warlike.
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
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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.
See Examples For:
Meanwhile, in Dubai, Kinahan set up a boxing stable called MTK Global, and appeared at public martial arts events.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
The event attracted an average of 34 million viewers worldwide, making it one of the most watched mixed martial arts events of all time.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
MVP historically focused on boxing, while PFL centers on mixed martial arts; the merged company will put on fights for both sports.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
But Marx, 61, a former Marine and expert in martial arts, is nothing if not swaggering.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026
He was wondering with half his mind which of Kay’s questions the magician would choose to answer, but the other half was still upon the martial possibilities of the landscape.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
It meant 17-year-old Marcus Rashford, not Keane, was on the bench for the Europa League tie against Midtjylland three days later when Anthony Martial was injured in the warm-up and had to pull out.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
"The rise of the UFC has been a stunning thing to watch," said UFC fighter Ryan Hall, owner and head trainer at Fifty/50 Martial Arts Academy, where the men were training.
From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026
Martial arts films portray competition as a means of pushing your opponent to do better, to go further.
From Salon ● May 31, 2026
Martial doesn’t set out what the role of the women he mentions might have been.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 27, 2026
Martial law has been declared, and everyone is going to get one less butter coupon.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
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.
