Definition of MILITIA

militia

Meanings

Plural: militiae, militias

Noun

  • civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army
  • the entire body of physically fit civilians eligible by law for military service; ; --United States Constitution
    • "their troops were untrained militia"
    • "Congress shall have power to provide for calling forth the militia"
  • An army of trained civilians, which may be an official reserve army, called upon in time of need, the entire able-bodied population of a state which may also be called upon, or a private force not under government control.
  • Synonym of militsia: the national police force of certain countries (e.g. Belarus).

Origin / Etymology

From Latin mīlitia (“army, military force/service”), from mīles (“soldier”). Doublet of militsia.
The use of "militia" rather than "police" to refer to the police force (of Belarus and some other countries) originated in the USSR.

Synonyms

militsia, reserves

Scrabble Score: 9

militia is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
militia is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
militia is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

militia is a valid Words With Friends word