Military: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is widely used in formal and general contexts to refer to a country's army, navy, and air force. It is a broad term that encompasses all branches of a nation's defense services.

• He decided to join the military right after high school.
• The government is planning to increase the military budget next year.

This is a more formal term typically used in official documents and discussions. It refers to the combined military forces of a nation, including the army, navy, air force, and sometimes other branches.

• The President is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
• Armed forces from multiple nations participated in the peacekeeping mission.

This term is often used in the context of national security and emphasizes the role of the military in protecting the country from external threats. It is somewhat formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation.

• The primary role of the defense forces is to protect the country's sovereignty.
• Reforms have been introduced to modernize the defense forces.

This term generally refers to a group of civilians who are trained to act in a military capacity in emergencies, rather than professional armed forces. It is sometimes used to describe unofficial paramilitary groups. It can have a negative connotation when referring to unauthorized armed groups.

• The village formed a militia to protect against raiders.
• Several states have volunteer militias as part of their emergency response plans.

This word is typically used to refer to the armed forces of a country or matters related to soldiers and their missions. It is a general term and can be used in a variety of contexts, both formal and informal.

• He joined the military after finishing high school.
• The country is increasing its military budget.

This word emphasizes the possession of weapons. It is often used when talking about individuals or groups equipped with weapons. It can be used in both civilian and military contexts.

• The bank was robbed by armed men.
• The armed forces were ready for deployment.

This word is used in contexts where protection from harm, especially in a military or strategic context, is being discussed. It often implies safeguarding against an attack.

• The country invested heavily in defense systems.
• He took up martial arts for self-defense.

This word has a negative connotation and is used to describe a person, group, or nation that is aggressive and inclined towards conflict or warfare. It is often used critically to denote a belligerent attitude.

• The leader's warlike speeches alarmed neighboring countries.
• Their warlike behavior was seen as a threat to peace.