naval
Americanadjective
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of or relating to warships.
a naval battle; naval strength.
-
of or relating to ships of all kinds.
naval architecture; naval engineer.
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belonging to, pertaining to, or connected with a navy.
naval affairs.
-
possessing a navy.
the great naval powers.
adjective
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of, relating to, characteristic of, or having a navy
-
of or relating to ships; nautical
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of naval
First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin nāvālis, equivalent to nāv(is) “ship” + -ālis -al 1
Explanation
Naval means "about a navy or navies." If you are interested in naval history, you probably enjoy seeing ships used in sea battles. Naval comes from the Latin word for ship, navis. Use the adjective naval whenever you're discussing a country's fleet of ships, especially ships intended for use during wartime. You might talk about a naval officer or a naval base, where ships are kept and naval personnel live. It's easy to confuse naval with its homophone navel, the belly button.
Vocabulary lists containing naval
Commonly Confused Words, List 2
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Commonly Confused Words, List 4
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Commonly Confused Words, List 6
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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.
The military also said a key naval base of the Russian Baltic Fleet in Kronstadt was hit.
From BBC • Jul. 4, 2026
The corsairs, sometimes defining themselves as a naval mujahideen, also acted as mercenaries or proxies.
From Salon • Jul. 4, 2026
A number of European countries have moved naval assets close to the strait to help keep it open once conditions allow.
From Barron's • Jul. 3, 2026
Construction and repair sheds at a naval dockyard have also been damaged, according to Janes analysis.
From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026
His fate is not known for sure, although he may have taken part in a naval campaign in Italy; whatever, his family never saw him again.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
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.
