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
Did You Planet? Words With Surprisingly Spacey Origins
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Memorial Day Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
March Vocabulary Words
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
"Our cattle breeding and training spaces are all temporary facilities inside the martial arts school," Li explained.
From Barron's • Jun. 28, 2026
He and thousands of other mixed martial arts fans watched on as US fighter Justin Gaethje beat Spanish-Georgian opponent Ilia Topuria to win the lightweight championship in the main event.
From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026
Mixed martial arts is as brutal as advertised, but the participants are genuine athletes, and nothing if not committed.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026
In the antediluvian world before seedy promoters began mixing martial arts, there was no way of knowing.
From Slate • Jun. 14, 2026
“A wonderful display of the goblin martial arts,” the visitor said happily.
From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin
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.
