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:
True, there have been moments in the nation’s martial past when social progress and military resistance sat in uneasy tension.
From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2026
So three mornings a week, I went to martial arts classes at a modest dojang in Van Nuys.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
The two soon became inseparable, working in construction together and training as mixed martial arts fighters.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
With gameplay based on Chinese martial arts and inspired by wuxia cinema, the development team worked in close collaboration with traditional martial arts schools.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
Six months later I had married this bright, kind, green-eyed martial arts expert, who said he would protect me forever.
From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals
Le Porge's mayor Martial Zaninetti said the fire could have been started by a machine used to clear forest track but this is yet to be officially confirmed.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 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
Hearring, who ran Two Dragon Martial Arts Studio for 18 years on Lake Avenue, placed a bid to buy the land after her studio burned down in the Eaton fire in January.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 15, 2025
Some sick Martial game I don’t yet understand?
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
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.
