military school: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, neutral.
Quick answer
What does “military school” mean?
An educational institution for children and adolescents that follows a military-based system of training, discipline, and organisation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An educational institution for children and adolescents that follows a military-based system of training, discipline, and organisation.
A secondary school (or occasionally a university) that combines standard academic curriculum with military-style structure, discipline, uniform requirements, and often instruction in leadership, drills, and physical training.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term is less common and often replaced by more specific terms like 'military academy' or references to historic schools like 'Duke of York's Royal Military School'. In the US, 'military school' is the standard generic term for such pre-college institutions.
Connotations
In the UK, it may carry connotations of historical tradition or being for children of service personnel. In the US, it can have a dual connotation: positive (discipline, leadership) and negative (a place for 'troubled' youths).
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to a larger number of such institutions.
Grammar
How to Use “military school” in a Sentence
He attended [military school].They sent their son to [military school].The discipline of [military school] shaped him.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “military school” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He has a very military-school bearing.
- The atmosphere was almost military-school in its rigidity.
American English
- She has a military-school haircut.
- His approach is very military-school.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in contexts of educational services or private equity investing in school chains.
Academic
Used in sociology, education, and history papers discussing institutional education and socialisation.
Everyday
Used when discussing schooling options, someone's background, or anecdotes about strict upbringing.
Technical
Used in military pedagogy and discussions of officer training pipelines (usually referring to pre-commissioning education).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “military school”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “military school”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “military school”
- Using 'military school' to refer to a university-level service academy (e.g., West Point) is common but slightly imprecise; 'military academy' is better for that level.
- Using it as an adjective without a noun (e.g., 'He is very military school') is incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. In common usage, 'military school' typically refers to secondary-level (high school) institutions. 'Military academy' can refer to those but more precisely denotes university-level institutions like West Point (US) or Sandhurst (UK).
No, attendance at a pre-college military school does not obligate a student to join the armed forces. While such schools often prepare students for service academies or commissioning programs, many graduates pursue civilian careers.
Historically, many were male-only, but a significant number are now co-educational. There are also separate military schools for girls.
Proponents often highlight the structured environment, emphasis on discipline, leadership training, personal responsibility, and strong academic focus as key benefits, particularly for students who may not thrive in less structured settings.
An educational institution for children and adolescents that follows a military-based system of training, discipline, and organisation.
Military school is usually formal, neutral. in register.
Military school: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪl.ɪ.tri skuːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪl.ə.ter.i skuːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MILITARY SCHOOL': Military Style, In Learning, Instruction, Training, And Rigour, Youth Obey Orders Lovingly (humorously).
Conceptual Metaphor
SCHOOL IS A BOOT CAMP; DISCIPLINE IS A MILITARY HIERARCHY.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate description of a 'military school' in American context?