navy

[ ney-vee ]

/ ˈneɪ vi /

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See synonyms for: navy / navier / naviest on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural na·vies.

the whole body of warships and auxiliaries belonging to a country or ruler.

(often initial capital letter) the complete body of such warships together with their officers and enlisted personnel, equipment, yards, etc., constituting the sea power of a nation.

(often initial capital letter) the department of government charged with its management.

navy blue (def. 1).

Archaic. a fleet of ships.

adjective

belonging or connected to a navy; naval: navy vessels in the harbor;a navy officer with combat experience aboard a submarine.

of the color navy blue: Either tie will look great with your navy suit.

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Origin of navy

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English navie, from Middle French, from unattested Vulgar Latin navia, equivalent to Latin nāv(is) “ship” + -ia noun suffix (see -y³)

OTHER WORDS FROM navy

pro·na·vy, adjective

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

How to use navy in a sentence

His most recent book, War on the Waters: The Union & Confederate Navies, 1861–1865, his 20th, appeared last year.
25 Years of ‘Battle Cry of Freedom’: An Interview With James M. McPherson|Marc Wortman|June 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When two navies came together, it was a collision, followed by boarding and a desperate, bloody fight at close quarters.
The Day the Sea Ran Red: The Battle of Sluys|Dan Jones|May 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We are not dealing with nation states competing with each other in a fairly orderly way with armies, navies and air forces.
Donald Rumsfeld on What Went Right|John Barry|February 8, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The two kingdoms would be one; the two navies would be one; and all other states would be reduced to vassalage.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay

The tremendous armies and monstrous navies have become far more a provocation and danger than a defense.
Ways of War and Peace|Delia Austrian
Many of our greatest American statesmen and scholars have combatted peace measures and advocated stronger armies and navies.
Ways of War and Peace|Delia Austrian
It maintains armies and navies for his defence and security, and no other government is allowed to maintain them.
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster|Daniel Webster
Nor had more solid evidence been lacking of the genuine alliance of which both navies were conscious.
The Heroic Record of the British Navy|Archibald Hurd

British Dictionary definitions for navy

navy

/ (ˈneɪvɪ) /

noun plural -vies

the warships and auxiliary vessels of a nation or ruler

the navy (often capital) the branch of a country's armed services comprising such ships, their crews, and all their supporting services and equipment

short for navy blue

archaic, or literary a fleet of ships

(as modifier)a navy custom

Word Origin for navy

C14: via Old French from Vulgar Latin nāvia (unattested) ship, from Latin nāvis ship

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

navy

Origin of navy

OTHER WORDS FROM navy

Words related to navy

How to use navy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for navy

Word Origin for navy