What does military mean?
Military is both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it describes people, institutions, activities, equipment, or conditions connected with soldiers and the armed forces: military training, a military uniform, or military service. It can also carry the broader sense of warlike or intended for combat, although this use may sound severe or rhetorical in political discussion. As a noun, military denotes the armed forces of a country or organized authority, usually viewed as a collective body rather than as a single service. In phrases such as military personnel, military families, or military spending, it identifies a matter connected with armed forces as an institution. The word is standard in both British and American English and is generally more formal than terms such as the military. Its history comes through French and Latin: Old French military derived from Latin militaris, meaning “of a soldier,” which in turn relates to miles, “soldier.”
Relating to soldiers, armed forces, military life, or warfare.
"The base provides specialized medical care for military personnel."
The adjective is often neutral when it refers to an official institution or activity, but it can suggest warlike character when used more broadly.
The armed forces of a country or other organized authority.
"The government increased funding for the military."
Normally used collectively; the definite article is appropriate when referring to a particular country's armed forces.
An uncommon plural used for the separate armed forces of different countries or organizations.
"The allied militaries coordinated their joint exercises."
Military grew from a Latin word meaning soldier, placing the modern world's organized armed forces within one of language's oldest martial roots.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does military come from?
Military entered English through Old French militaire, a form of Latin militaris, “of or pertaining to soldiers.” The Latin adjective derives from miles, meaning “soldier,” a root also underlying English words such as militia, militant, and militate. Over time, the English word expanded from describing soldiers and military affairs to naming the armed forces as an institution.
Related word forms
How military is actually used
When used as an adjective, military is broad and often neutral in institutional contexts. As a noun, it usually refers collectively to a country's armed forces. The plural militaries is uncommon and may refer to the separate armed forces of different countries or organizations.
Easily confused with military
A military is a country's organized armed forces, whereas a militia is usually a citizen or volunteer force distinct from the regular army.
Martial is chiefly an adjective suggesting military discipline, combat, or warlike character, while military more commonly means belonging to or used by the armed forces.