martial law

noun

1. the law temporarily imposed upon an area by state or national military forces when civil authority has broken down or during wartime military operations.

2. the law imposed upon a defeated country or occupied territory by the military forces of the occupying power.

martial law

noun

1. the rule of law established and maintained by the military in the absence of civil law

Word History and Origins

Origin of martial law¹

First recorded in 1525–35

Example Sentences

That “looks like martial law when you have militarized ... judicial proceedings,” VanLandingham said.

From Los Angeles Times

Some fear expanding the use of soldiers for civilian policing could be a first step toward martial law.

From Los Angeles Times

I told people for years that Berkeley had been under martial law, which wasn’t technically true.

From Salon

He issued the last veto in November, a week before he declared martial law.

From BBC

“I don’t think martial law is off the table.”

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What is martial law?

Martial law is when a state is put under control of the military, usually temporarily and as a result of an emergency or crisis that has broken down the usual civil authority and order.How is martial law pronounced?[ mahr-shuhl law ]