martial law
noun
1
: the law applied in occupied territory by the military authority of the occupying power
2
: the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety
Examples of martial law in a Sentence
The government has imposed martial law throughout the city to stop the riots.
an area placed under martial law
Recent Examples on the Web
The military declares martial law in the town as Daniels and his fellow scientists race to develop a cure, even as the nefarious McClintock schemes to bomb Cedar Creek to smithereens to contain the virus.
—
Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025
To maintain order in a crisis, governments might need to deploy the military domestically, whether by declaring martial law or through other means, and seize property that could be used by foreign governments to conduct spy and sabotage operations.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
Russia has repeatedly framed Zelenskyy as an illegitimate president, citing the delay to planned 2024 presidential elections in Ukraine necessitated by the imposition of martial law.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2025
Lawmakers this month began discussing new legislation that would give the Assembly more oversight in how future presidents could use martial law.
—Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025
To maintain order in a crisis, governments might need to deploy the military domestically, whether by declaring martial law or through other means, and seize property that could be used by foreign governments to conduct spy and sabotage operations.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
Russia has repeatedly framed Zelenskyy as an illegitimate president, citing the delay to planned 2024 presidential elections in Ukraine necessitated by the imposition of martial law.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2025
Lawmakers this month began discussing new legislation that would give the Assembly more oversight in how future presidents could use martial law.
—Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martial law
Cite this Entry
“Martial law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martial%20law. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share