paramilitary

American  

[par-uh-mil-i-ter-ee] / ˌpær əˈmɪl ɪˌtɛr i /

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to an organization operating as, in place of, or as a supplement to a regular military force.

   a paramilitary police unit.

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noun

plural

paramilitaries

1. Also paramilitarist a person employed in such a force.

paramilitary British  

/ ˌpærəˈmɪlɪtərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. denoting or relating to a group of personnel with military structure functioning either as a civil force or in support of military forces

2. denoting or relating to a force with military structure conducting armed operations against a ruling or occupying power

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noun

1. 1. a paramilitary force

   2. a member of such a force

Etymology

Origin of paramilitary

First recorded in 1930–35; para- ¹ + military

Example Sentences

Iran, he reminded me, has around 90 million people and an estimated 200,000 in the armed militia and paramilitary forces.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Golkar said he has several acquaintances in the Revolutionary Guard and Basij paramilitary who have benefited financially from the system.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Officials described Ahmadi as “one of the most important pillars” of the Basij volunteer paramilitary force.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

After leaving the US Army, Kent served as a paramilitary officer in the Central Intelligence Agency.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

A black paramilitary beret with black glasses and a little fledgling soul patch.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides