military

MIL-i-tair-ee/ˈmɪl.ɪˌtɛɹ.i/UKMIL-i-tree/ˈmɪl.ɪ.tɹɪ/

Noun pluralmilitary, militaries

4 meanings of military

1
adjective
Relating to the armed forces, such as the army, navy, and air force, or to war and the conduct of fighting, as opposed to civilian matters.
The treaty limited the military forces each nation could deploy.
Civilian leaders, not military officers, set national policy in a democracy.
Similarmartial
Oppositecivilian, civil
2
armed forcesnouncountable
The armed forces of a nation, considered as a whole.
The military was called in to help after the earthquake.
Spending on the military rose sharply during the conflict.
UsageUsually the military: join the military, serve in the military.
Similarforces, force
3
adjectivedated
Relating to armies or ground forces, in contrast with naval or air forces.

Less common meaning

4
like a soldieradjective
Showing the qualities or manner characteristic of members of the armed forces, such as discipline, precision, and bearing.
The butler moved with a military precision that impressed the guests.
His military bearing made him stand out even in plain clothes.
UsageCommon in with military precision and military bearing.
Similarsoldierly, martial, disciplined

Practice

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Origin

The word is a doublet of militaire. Its source is Latin mīlitāris, built on mīles ("soldier"), which reached English through Old French militaire and Middle English militari.