military
gb/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi/ us/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi/
A2
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Relating to the armed forces
About the army, navy, air force, or war.
Usage pattern:
[military] [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'military' with 'army', but 'military' includes all armed forces, not just the army.
Synonyms
armed forces (Refers collectively to a nation's military organizations; not used as an adjective.)
Antonyms
civilian (Relating to ordinary people not in the armed forces.)
Collocations
military service
|military base
|military training
|military uniform
|military operation
Themes
war
|government
|security
|politics
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The country increased its military budget this year.
- He served in a military hospital during the war.
- The government announced new military strategies.
- She wore her military uniform with pride.
- The island is home to several military bases.
Learner examples
- My brother is in the military service.
- There is a big military base near the city.
- He wears a military uniform every day.
- The country has strong military power.
Noun
A2
entity
2
A country's armed forces
The army, navy, and air force of a country.
Usage pattern:
the [military]
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'militaries' for plural, but normally 'military' is used as a collective noun without plural form when referring to one country's forces.
Synonyms
armed services (Another term for a nation's organized fighting forces.)
Antonyms
civilian population (People who are not members of the armed forces.)
Collocations
join the military
|serve in the military
|leave the military
Themes
war
|government
|security
|politics
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After college, he decided to join the military.
- The military was deployed to assist in disaster relief.
- She retired from the military after twenty years of service.
Learner examples
- He wants to join the military.
- My uncle works in the military.
- Many people serve in the military.
Grammar
Dictionary form
military
IPA
GB/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi/
US/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi/
Syllables & stress
mil - it - ary (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mil)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: military
Noun
- Base: military
- Plural: militaries, military
Word family
Forms
militaries
noun
Negative and opposite forms
civilian
adjective B1
nonmilitary
adjective
Advanced or less common
Expressions
military base
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi bˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
Place where soldiers work and live
A place where soldiers and other members of the armed forces live and work.
Examples
- The new military base is located near the coast.
- Families live on the military base with the soldiers.
military training
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi tɹˈeɪnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Teaching skills for armed forces work
Learning how to do jobs in the army, navy, or air force.
Examples
- All recruits must complete basic military training.
- Military training can be physically demanding.
military operation
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi ˌɑpɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Planned action by soldiers
An organized action by the army, navy, or air force to reach a goal.
Examples
- The military operation lasted three weeks.
- The military operation lasted three days.
- They planned a joint military operation with allied forces.
- Several countries joined the military operation.
military service
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi sˈɚvɪs/
fixed phrase
Time spent serving in armed forces
Work you do for the army, navy, or air force, often for a set time.
Examples
- He did his military service after high school.
- He completed his military service at the age of 22.
- Military service is required for all men in that country.
- Military service is compulsory in that country.