martial law

noun

1. the law temporarily imposed upon an area by state or national military forces when civil authority has broken down or during wartime military operations.

2. the law imposed upon a defeated country or occupied territory by the military forces of the occupying power.

martial law

noun

1. the rule of law established and maintained by the military in the absence of civil law

Word History and Origins

Origin of martial law¹

First recorded in 1525–35

When To Use

What is martial law?

Martial law is when a state is put under control of the military, usually temporarily and as a result of an emergency or crisis that has broken down the usual civil authority and order.How is martial law pronounced?[ mahr-shuhl law ]