militarization
gb/mˈɪlɪtɚɪzˈeɪʃən/ us/mˈɪlɪtɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
process
1
Making something military-like
the process of making something more connected with the military, weapons, or military-style control
Usage pattern:
militarization of [something]
Common mistake:
Do not use militarization to mean one person joining the army; use enlistment or recruitment. British English often spells it militarisation.
Synonyms
military influence (emphasizes the role or power of the military rather than the process of becoming more military-like)
|
militarism (emphasizes support for military power or military values, not necessarily the process itself)
|
military-style transformation (a descriptive phrase that is less established and more explicit)
Antonyms
demilitarization (the reduction or removal of military presence, influence, weapons, or control)
|
civilianization (a shift from military control or methods to civilian ones)
Collocations
growing militarization
|increasing militarization
|rapid militarization
|creeping militarization
|police militarization
|militarization of society
|militarization of schools
|militarization of public life
|resist militarization
|concerns about militarization
Themes
military
|politics
|society
|security
Examples
- The report criticized the growing militarization of local police departments.
- Some activists see mandatory cadet programs as part of the militarization of schools.
- The film explores the militarization of public life during the crisis.
Learner examples
- Many people worry about the militarization of the police.
- Militarization can change how an organization behaves.
Noun
formal
C1
process
2
Military buildup in a place
the process of putting more soldiers, weapons, bases, or military equipment in a place
Usage pattern:
militarization of [place or area]
Common mistake:
Militarization focuses on making an area military or heavily armed; it is not the same as war itself.
Synonyms
military buildup (more concrete; stresses an increase in troops, weapons, or bases)
|
arming (focuses mainly on providing weapons)
|
weaponization (emphasizes turning a place, technology, or domain into something used for weapons or warfare)
Antonyms
demilitarization (the removal or reduction of military forces, bases, or weapons from an area)
|
disarmament (the reduction or removal of weapons, especially by states or armed groups)
Collocations
border militarization
|regional militarization
|space militarization
|militarization of the border
|militarization of the region
|militarization of the island
|militarization of the Arctic
|militarization of space
|prevent militarization
|accelerating militarization
Themes
military
|geopolitics
|security
|international_relations
Examples
- Satellite images showed the militarization of several islands in the disputed sea.
- The government denied that the new bases amounted to militarization of the border.
- The treaty was designed to prevent the militarization of the region.
Learner examples
- The border's militarization worried people in nearby towns.
- Leaders discussed the militarization of the island.
Grammar
Dictionary form
militarization
IPA
GB/mˈɪlɪtɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
US/mˈɪlɪtɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
mil - it - ar - iz - a - tion (6 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mil)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: militarization
- Plural: militarization
Expressions
border militarization
1/bˈɔɹdɚ mˈɪlɪtɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
Armed border buildup
putting more armed forces, barriers, or military equipment at a border
Examples
- Human rights groups criticized the rise in border militarization along the frontier.
- The government defended border militarization as necessary to stop armed smuggling groups.
- Residents said border militarization had changed daily life in their communities.
militarization of society
1/mˈɪlɪtɚɪzˈeɪʃən əv səsˈaɪəti/
fixed phrase
formal
Military influence on society
when military ideas, language, or habits become more important in everyday civilian life
Examples
- The author links constant war imagery in advertising to the militarization of society.
- Opponents argued that the new education policy contributed to the militarization of society.
- After years of conflict, the militarization of society was visible in schools, media, and politics.
militarization of space
1/mˈɪlɪtɚɪzˈeɪʃən əv spˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
formal
Military use of space
using outer space for military systems or military competition
Examples
- Several countries warned that the militarization of space could increase the risk of conflict on Earth.
- Military satellites have made the militarization of space a central issue in modern security policy.
- The treaty aimed to limit the militarization of space, especially the deployment of weapons.
militarization of the economy
1/mˈɪlɪtɚɪzˈeɪʃən əv ðə ɪkˈɑnəmi/
fixed phrase
formal
Economy focused on war
when a country's economy becomes more focused on the military, weapons, or war needs
Examples
- Analysts said the rapid militarization of the economy left fewer resources for health care and education.
- The war led to the militarization of the economy, with factories switching to weapons production.
- Opposition leaders warned that the militarization of the economy would make future conflict more likely.
police militarization
1/pəlˈis mˈɪlɪtɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
Military-style policing
when regular police become more like the military in their equipment or behavior
Examples
- The city council held hearings on police militarization after officers used armored vehicles at a protest.
- Critics argue that police militarization can make routine policing feel like a battlefield.
- The new policy limits the transfer of military equipment to local departments in response to concerns about police militarization.