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

At first Gabriel is very happy on the ranch, living with their care pod, but as tensions are ratcheted up with a local militia, they’re increasingly exposed to violence and trauma.

From Los Angeles Times

Michigan, long a hotbed of anti-government militia activity, was an early adopter of strategies to fight domestic extremism, making it a target of conservative pundits who accuse the state of criminalizing right-wing organizing.

From Salon

In reality, the memo clearly states that the focus is on people who are already a threat, such as militia members or white supremacists, and how they are using pandemic disinformation to justify violence.

From Salon

Meanwhile, in the DRC, thousands of civilians have been killed by armed militias in recent years, and nearly 100,000 more displaced, according to UN figures.

From BBC

Kabila, a former general, was also disparaging about the government's handling of the security situation countrywide, especially the use of pro-government militias as "auxiliaries" of the armed forces.

From BBC