martial law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Political, Legal, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “martial law” mean?
The imposition of direct military control over civilian functions and suspension of ordinary law, typically during emergencies.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The imposition of direct military control over civilian functions and suspension of ordinary law, typically during emergencies.
A state of emergency where the military assumes authority over the administration of justice and maintenance of public order, often involving curfews, restrictions on movement, and suspension of civil rights.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or application. The term is used identically in legal and political contexts.
Connotations
Identical strong negative connotations of authoritarian control and suspension of democratic norms.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in political and historical discourse in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “martial law” in a Sentence
The government declared martial law in the province.The country has been under martial law for six months.Martial law was imposed following the coup.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “martial law” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The region was martial-lawed for a decade.
- The general threatened to martial-law the capital.
American English
- The governor moved to martial-law the state after the riots.
- They effectively martial-lawed the entire district.
adverb
British English
- The area was governed martial-lawly for years. (Highly rare/awkward)
- The decree was applied martial-lawly. (Highly rare/awkward)
American English
- The president ruled martial-lawly after the crisis. (Highly rare/awkward)
- They acted martial-lawly to restore order. (Highly rare/awkward)
adjective
British English
- The martial-law regulations were draconian.
- They lived under a martial-law regime.
American English
- The city was in a martial-law situation.
- He was detained under martial-law provisions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in risk analysis: 'Investments are risky in regions where martial law is a possibility.'
Academic
Common in Political Science, History, and Law: 'The study examines the socio-economic effects of prolonged martial law.'
Everyday
Used in news discussions: 'They've declared martial law, so we can't go out after dark.'
Technical
Specific in legal and military documents defining the conditions and legal boundaries for its declaration.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “martial law”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “martial law”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “martial law”
- Misspelling as 'marshal law'. 'Martial' relates to war, 'marshal' is a rank/officer.
- Using it to describe any strict rules (e.g., 'My parents have declared martial law on screen time'). This is hyperbolic and informal.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A coup is the seizure of power. Martial law is a legal framework or state that can be declared by an existing government (or by those who seized power in a coup) to govern under military rules.
Yes, many democratic constitutions have provisions for a temporary declaration of martial law or a state of emergency during extreme crises like invasion or catastrophic natural disaster, but its use is highly controversial and subject to legal review.
Common rights suspended include freedom of movement (curfews), freedom of assembly, protection from unreasonable search and seizure, and the right to a speedy public trial by jury. Habeas corpus (protection against unlawful detention) is often suspended.
A state of emergency is broader. It grants special powers to the government but often keeps civilian institutions intact. Martial law is a specific, more extreme type where the military itself takes over administrative and judicial functions from civilian authorities.
The imposition of direct military control over civilian functions and suspension of ordinary law, typically during emergencies.
Martial law is usually formal, political, legal, journalistic in register.
Martial law: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɑː.ʃəl ˈlɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːr.ʃəl ˈlɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Rule with an iron fist (related concept)”
- “The boot of the army (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MARTIAL (from Mars, Roman god of war) LAW. It's the 'law of war' applied to civilians.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE STATE IS A BATTLEFIELD (civilian space is governed by rules of military conflict).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of 'martial law'?