Militia (Noun)
Meaning 1
The entire body of physically fit civilians eligible by law for military service; "their troops were untrained militia"; "Congress shall have power to provide for calling forth the militia"--United States Constitution.
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- Most rural communities in the country have a mandatory militia that protects the city from external threats.
- By ordering able-bodied men to report for militia service the government was able to swiftly reinforce its frontiers from foreign invasion.
- The town's militia responded quickly and successfully fought against the army of rebels that was terrorizing the countryside.
- By chance, he stumbled upon a gathering of militia at the town hall, eager to respond to rumors of rebel movements nearby.
- Membership rules stated that all males had been and would continue to be members of the militia during times of war or threat against the state.
Meaning 2
Civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army.
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The governor activated the state militia to assist with disaster relief efforts.
- During the American Revolution, the Continental Army relied heavily on the Massachusetts militia to augment its forces.
- A group of concerned citizens formed a local militia to provide additional security for their neighborhood.
- The colonial government required all able-bodied men to join the militia and undergo training in marksmanship and tactics.
- Before the arrival of the professional army, the rebels had established a militia to defend their territory against government forces.