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Definition of "militarize" [militarize]

  • To equip or train for war. (verb-transitive)
  • To imbue with militarism. (verb-transitive)
  • To adopt for use by or in the military. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "militarize" in a sentence
  • "Obama said this week he had no desire to "militarize" the border, but the Department of Homeland Security has outlined plans to protect the border that include, as a last resort, deploying military personnel and equipment to the region if other agencies are overwhelmed."
  • "Opponents of missile defense charge that a space layer would somehow "militarize" space."
  • "The troops would not be sent to "militarize" the border with Mexico, Bush hastened to add, or even to arrest illegals coming over the border, but rather to provide logistical support, monitor surveillance cameras and do construction."