military force

/ˌmɪləˈtɛri fɔrs/

Other forms: military forces

Definitions of military force
  1. noun
    a unit that is part of some military service
    synonyms: force, military group, military unit
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    types:
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    trip wire
    a small military force that serves as a first line of defense; if they become engaged in hostilities it will trigger the intervention of stronger military forces
    command
    a military unit or region under the control of a single officer
    enemy
    an opposing military force
    task force
    a temporary military unit formed to accomplish a particular objective
    army unit
    a military unit that is part of an army
    naval unit
    a military unit that is part of a navy
    air unit
    a military unit that is part of the airforce
    armor, armour
    a military unit consisting of armored fighting vehicles
    mujahadeen, mujahadein, mujahadin, mujahedeen, mujahedin, mujahideen, mujahidin
    a military force of Muslim guerilla warriors engaged in a jihad
    guard
    a military unit serving to protect some place or person
    legion
    a large military unit
    echelon
    a body of troops arranged in a line
    phalanx
    a body of troops in close array
    Republican Guard
    formerly Iraq's elite military unit whose primary role was to protect the government in Baghdad
    Haganah
    the clandestine military wing of the Jewish leadership during the British rule over the mandate of Palestine from 1920 to 1948; became the basis for the Israeli defense force
    IDF, Israeli Defense Force
    the ground and air and naval forces of Israel
    militia, reserves
    civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army
    commando
    an amphibious military unit trained for raids into enemy territory
    contingent, detail
    a temporary military unit
    headquarters
    (plural) a military unit consisting of a commander and the headquarters staff
    spearhead
    the leading military unit in an attack
    ACLANT, Allied Command Atlantic
    a major strategic headquarters of NATO located in the United States; is under the authority of the North Atlantic Council
    ACE, Allied Command Europe
    a major strategic headquarters of NATO; safeguards an area extending from Norway to Turkey
    ACC, Air Combat Command
    a command that is the primary provider of air combat weapon systems to the United States Air Force; operates fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, battle-management, and rescue aircraft
    AFSPC, Air Force Space Command
    a command of the United States Air Force that is responsible for defending the United States through its space and intercontinental ballistic missile operations
    Mujahedeen Khalq
    Iranian guerillas based in Iraq
    SA, Storm Troops, Sturmabteilung
    Nazi militia created by Hitler in 1921 that helped him to power but was eclipsed by the SS after 1943
    army corps, corps
    an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
    division
    an army unit large enough to sustain combat
    battle group
    an army unit usually consisting of five companies
    regiment
    army unit smaller than a division
    brigade
    army unit smaller than a division
    battalion
    an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies
    company
    small military unit; usually two or three platoons
    platoon
    a military unit that is a subdivision of a company; usually has a headquarters and two or more squads; usually commanded by a lieutenant
    detachment
    a small unit of troops of special composition
    van, vanguard
    the leading units moving at the head of an army
    bodyguard
    a group of men who escort and protect some important person
    section
    a small army unit usually having a special function
    squad
    a smallest army unit
    division, naval division
    a group of ships of similar type
    air division, division
    a unit of the United States Air Force usually comprising two or more wings
    wing
    a unit of military aircraft
    air group
    a unit of the United States Air Force larger than a squadron and smaller than a wing
    squadron
    an air force unit larger than a flight and smaller than a group
    squadron
    a naval unit that is detached from the fleet for a particular task
    flight
    an air force unit smaller than a squadron
    foreign legion
    a military unit composed of foreign volunteers who serve the state
    troop
    a group of soldiers
    troop
    a cavalry unit corresponding to an infantry company
    trainband
    a company of militia in England or America from the 16th century to the 18th century
    Sayeret Mat'kal, Sayeret Matkal, sayeret
    Israel's elite secret commando unit responsible for counterterrorist and top secret intelligence gathering and hostage rescue missions
    SAS, Special Air Service
    a specialist regiment of the British army that is trained in commando techniques of warfare and used in clandestine operations (especially against terrorist groups)
    artillery, artillery unit
    an army unit that uses big guns
    musketry
    musketeers and their muskets collectively
    cavalry
    a highly mobile army unit
    foot, infantry
    an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot
    home guard
    a volunteer unit formed to defend the homeland while the regular army is fighting elsewhere
    territorial, territorial reserve
    a territorial military unit
    type of:
    social unit, unit
    an organization regarded as part of a larger social group
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘military force'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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