VocabDictionary

militia

/mɪˈlɪʃ.ə/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A military force that is raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army in an emergency.

Example Sentences:
  • The local militia was called upon to defend the town during the border conflict.
  • The government sought to disarm the various private militias operating in the region.
Share & Learn With Friends

Share “militia” with study groups, classmates, or on your social channels.

English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “militia”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'militia' (military service, warfare), which itself comes from 'miles' (soldier). It entered English in the 16th century, originally referring to a military force raised from the civilian population to supplement a regular army in an emergency.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'military' but with an 'a' at the end for 'amateur'—a militia is an amateur military force.

Frequently Asked Questions About “militia

1. What is the meaning of “militia” in English?

In English, militia (noun) is defined as: “A military force that is raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army in an emergency.”.

2. How do you use “militia” in a sentence?

The local militia was called upon to defend the town during the border conflict.

3. What are English synonyms of “militia”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “militia”?

Derived from the Latin 'militia' (military service, warfare), which itself comes from 'miles' (soldier). It entered English in the 16th century, originally referring to a military force raised from the civilian population to supplement a regular army in an emergency.