militia

[ mi-lish-uh ]

noun

1. a body of citizens enrolled for military service, and called out periodically for drill but serving full time only in emergencies.
2. a body of citizen soldiers as distinguished from professional soldiers.
3. all able-bodied males considered by law eligible for military service.
4. a body of citizens organized in a paramilitary group and typically regarding themselves as defenders of individual rights against the presumed interference of the federal government.

militia

/ mɪˈlɪʃə /

noun

1. a body of citizen (as opposed to professional) soldiers
2. an organization containing men enlisted for service in emergency only

Word History and Origins

Origin of militia¹

1580–90; < Latin mīlitia soldiery, equivalent to mīlit- (stem of mīles ) soldier + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of militia¹

C16: from Latin: soldiery, from mīles soldier

Example Sentences

Years before the Civil War, a disorderly, sometimes bloodthirsty, vigilante local militia known as the “Monte boys” made the town a kind of sanctuary for hair-trigger Confederate sympathies and racist sentiments.

From Los Angeles Times

Syrian state news agency Sana also reported arrests this week targeting "Assad militia members" where weapons and ammunition were seized.

From BBC

At the centre, former military, police and intelligence officers, as well as anyone who was part of pro-Assad militia groups, can register for a temporary civilian identity card and deposit their weapons.

From BBC

"HTS are here now, and they are an Islamic militia. That's what they are. I wish, I pray they will be a modern Islamic militia."

From BBC

Then they heard a militia leader was going to be hanged.

From Los Angeles Times