Definition of Military
Quick Meaning of Military
Connected to soldiers, armies, and armed forces.
Detailed Definition of Military
Relating to or belonging to the armed forces (army, navy, air force) or warfare.
How to Pronounce Military
Stress pattern: Oooo (4-syllable word).
Tip: Three syllables: MIL-i-ter-y. Stress on first syllable. /ˈmɪlɪteri/ (or /ˈmɪlɪtɛri/).
Watch out: Some speakers mispronounce as 'MIL-i-tree' (3 syllables) instead of 'MIL-i-ter-y' (4).
Origin and Etymology of Military
From Latin 'militaris', from 'miles' (soldier). Used in English since 1500s.
How to Use Military in a Sentence
Each example shows “military” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“His father served in the military for 20 years.”
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“The country increased military spending on weapons and training.”
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“Military strategy requires careful planning and coordination.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Military
Common Synonyms for Military
Smart Synonyms for Military — When to Use Each
- armed
- for armed forces or armed conflict; sometimes interchangeable
- civilian
- opposite meaning: non-military, civilian authorities vs military
Antonyms of Military
Common Collocations with Military
These phrases pair with “military” in everyday English:
- military service
- military base
- military power
- military strategy
- military personnel
Common Mistakes When Using Military
Even fluent speakers slip up with “military”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: She has a military career because she is militant.
- ✓ Correct: She has a military career; she is dedicated and disciplined.
- Why: 'Military' = armed forces; 'militant' = aggressively combative; different words with different meanings
- ✗ Wrong: The militarys power increased last year.
- ✓ Correct: The military's power increased last year.
- Why: When using 'military' as noun, form possessive with apostrophe-s: military's, not militarys
Words Confused With Military
- Military vs Militant: Similar word, but militant means aggressive/combative person, not military-related
Other Forms of Military
Frequently Asked Questions About Military
What is the meaning of "Military"?
Connected to soldiers, armies, and armed forces.
How do you pronounce "Military"?
The IPA is /ˈmɪlɪteri/. Three syllables: MIL-i-ter-y. Stress on first syllable. /ˈmɪlɪteri/ (or /ˈmɪlɪtɛri/).
What part of speech is "Military"?
"Military" is an adjective at B1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Military"?
Common synonyms include armed, defense-related, wartime.
How do you use "Military" in a sentence?
For example: "His father served in the military for 20 years."