military

[ mil-i-ter-ee ]

/ ˈmɪl ɪˌtɛr i /

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adjective

of, for, or pertaining to the army or armed forces, often as distinguished from the navy: from civilian to military life.

of, for, or pertaining to war: military preparedness.

of or relating to soldiers.

befitting, characteristic of, or noting a soldier: a military bearing.

following the life of a soldier: a military career.

performed by soldiers: military duty.

noun, plural mil·i·tar·ies, mil·i·tar·y.

the military,

the military establishment of a nation; the armed forces.
military personnel, especially commissioned officers, taken collectively: the bar, the press, and the military.

OTHER WORDS FOR military

3 soldierly, soldierlike, martial.

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QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of military

1575–85; <Latin mīlitāri(s), equivalent to mīlit- (stem of mīles) soldier + -āris-ary

OTHER WORDS FROM military

mil·i·tar·i·ly

[mil-i-tair-uh-lee, mil-i-ter-uh-lee], /ˌmɪl ɪˈtɛər ə li, ˈmɪl ɪˌtɛr ə li/, adverbmil·i·tar·i·ness, nounan·ti·mil·i·tar·y, adjectivenon·mil·i·tar·y, adjective

pre·mil·i·tar·y, adjectivepro·mil·i·tar·y, adjectivepseu·do·mil·i·tar·i·ly, adverbpseu·do·mil·i·tar·y, adjectivequa·si-mil·i·tar·y, adjectivesu·per·mil·i·tar·y, adjective, nounun·mil·i·tar·i·ly, adverbun·mil·i·tar·y, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use military in a sentence

But the two foreign militaries fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) are not talking to one another.
U.S. and Iran Hit ISIS, Ignore Each Other|Eli Lake|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Jewish state is one of four that let U.S. citizens in their militaries.
1,000 Americans Are Serving in the Israeli Army and They Aren’t Alone|Chris Allbritton|July 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The responsibility of fighting al Qaeda would be left mostly to the Afghan and Pakistani militaries.
Obama’s Counterterror Plan Has New Doubters: His Own Generals and Spies|Josh Rogin, Kimberly Dozier|July 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Given the reality of their respective militaries looking at diminished sources of manpower, this is essential.
Israel Needs Better War Technology|Lloyd Green|July 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He noted that none of the militaries of the former Soviet republics could withstand a full-scale Russian invasion.
What to Do When Russia Invades Your Country|Eli Lake|May 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That's what all these pacifists and anti-militaries are arguing, though they don't let on to that.
The Wrong Twin|Harry Leon Wilson

British Dictionary definitions for military

military

/ (ˈmɪlɪtərɪ, -trɪ) /

adjective

of or relating to the armed forces (esp the army), warlike matters, etc

of, characteristic of, or about soldiers

noun plural -taries or -tary

the military the armed services (esp the army)

Derived forms of military

militarily, adverb

Word Origin for military

C16: via French from Latin mīlitāris, from mīles soldier

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

military

OTHER WORDS FOR military

Origin of military

OTHER WORDS FROM military

Words related to military

How to use military in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for military

Derived forms of military

Word Origin for military