navy

Pluralnavies

1. 1
   armed servicenouncountable

   A country's military force that fights at sea, including its ships, its people, and the department that runs it.

   The navy deployed a carrier group to patrol the contested waters.

   Several rival nations expanded their navies during the arms race.

   UsageUsually the navy: join the navy, serve in the navy.

2. 2
   color namenouncountable or uncountable

   A dark blue color, the deep shade usually called navy blue.

   She painted the bedroom walls a deep navy.

   The team's uniforms are a rich navy with gold trim.

   UsageOften called navy blue; with an adjective, a deep navy.

3. 3
   adjective

   Of a deep, dark blue color.

   The designer chose navy curtains to ground the bright room.

   Guests arrived in navy suits and crisp white shirts.

   UsageUsually before a noun: navy curtains, a navy suit.

   Note

   As a color adjective, navy grades like any other: something can be more navy or most navy, and Samantha Hunt's novel The Seas describes a cover "as navy as a bruise". That comparison frame judges the shade by degree.

4. 4
   adjective

   Belonging to the navy, or having the qualities typical of it.

   Their navy heritage shaped the way the family talked about duty.

   Years after leaving the service, he still runs his home with navy discipline.

   UsageBefore a noun it works like naval: a navy ship, a navy family. Of a person: navy through and through.

   Similarnaval

   Note

   Someone who is navy through and through has the service's discipline in their bones, and Harry Carey Jr.'s Company of Heroes (1994) calls an unlikely meeting with an officer "about as navy as an Abbott and Costello movie".

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