martial
/ˈmɑːʃəl/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Of, relating to, or suggestive of war; warlike.
Adjective
Examples
The captaine he, which climbes for high advaunce, / By piercing blade imbrude in enimies blood, / In martiall ſhewes who formoſt leades the daunce, [...]
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Connected with or relating to armed forces or the profession of arms or military life.
Adjective
Examples
[D]ivers commissions under your Majestie's Greate Seale have issued forth, by which certaine persons have been assigned and appointed commissioners, with power and authoritie to proceed within the land, according to the justice of martiall lawe, against such soulders and marriners, or other dissolut
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “martial” mean?
Of, relating to, or suggestive of war; warlike.
Is “martial” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.