military-industrial complex: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, academic, political, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “military-industrial complex” mean?
An informal alliance between a nation's military and the arms industry that supplies it, where each side influences and benefits from the other, often to the detriment of public interest or peace.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An informal alliance between a nation's military and the arms industry that supplies it, where each side influences and benefits from the other, often to the detriment of public interest or peace.
The concept is often extended to describe any powerful, mutually beneficial relationship between government defense bodies and private sector defense contractors, characterized by political lobbying, the revolving door of personnel, and policies that prioritize military spending.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in and is primarily associated with US political discourse. It is understood but used less frequently in British contexts, where 'defence industry' or 'arms trade' might be more common neutral terms.
Connotations
Strong critical connotations in both variants. In the US, it directly references Eisenhower's 1961 warning. In the UK, it carries a similar weight of critique but is more abstract.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in American English, especially in political science, history, and critical journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “military-industrial complex” in a Sentence
the [ADJ] military-industrial complexthe military-industrial complex [VERB: exerts, influences, benefits][VERB: warn about, critique, dismantle] the military-industrial complexVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “military-industrial complex” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The report suggests the policy was military-industrial complexed from the outset.
- They accused him of military-industrial complexing his connections for profit.
American English
- Critics argue the system has been military-industrial complexed to resist budget cuts.
- The legislation seems designed to military-industrial complex the relationship further.
adverb
British English
- The contract was awarded military-industrial complexly, bypassing normal tenders.
- He argued military-industrial complexly for increased spending.
American English
- The policy was shaped military-industrial complexly, with heavy lobbyist input.
- The firms are military-industrial complexly intertwined with the Pentagon.
adjective
British English
- He took a military-industrial complex view of the conflict, focusing on procurement.
- The military-industrial complex interests were well represented in parliament.
American English
- The military-industrial complex dynamics were evident in the committee's findings.
- It was a classic military-industrial complex arrangement, shrouded in secrecy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in analysis of defence stocks, lobbying, and government contracts.
Academic
A key term in political science, international relations, sociology, and critical security studies.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; used by politically engaged individuals discussing government spending or foreign policy.
Technical
Used in policy analysis, political economy, and historical studies of defence policy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “military-industrial complex”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “military-industrial complex”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “military-industrial complex”
- Using it as a neutral term for any defence contractor. • Misspelling as 'militaristic-industrial complex'. • Using it without the critical connotation the term demands.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower popularized the term in his 1961 farewell address, though the concept was discussed earlier by sociologists like C. Wright Mills.
No, it is an informal conceptual framework describing a network of shared interests, not a legally constituted entity with a membership list.
Yes, the concept is applied globally to analyse relationships between militaries and defence industries in other countries, though the specific phrase is most rooted in the American context.
It refers to the movement of personnel between roles in the military/government defence departments and executive/consultant positions in defence contractor companies, seen as a mechanism that reinforces the complex.
An informal alliance between a nation's military and the arms industry that supplies it, where each side influences and benefits from the other, often to the detriment of public interest or peace.
Military-industrial complex: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪlɪtri ɪnˈdʌstriəl ˈkɒmplɛks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪlɪtɛri ɪnˈdəstriəl ˈkɑːmplɛks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not idiomatic in the traditional sense; the term itself is a conceptual phrase]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a complex (building) where Generals and factory bosses share an office. The military wants more weapons, the industry sells them, and the complex (system) keeps growing.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE STATE IS A BODY (with a 'cancerous' or 'entrenched' complex), INTERESTS ARE ENTANGLED/INTERWOVEN.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of the term 'military-industrial complex'?