Cool MateMilitia
UK /["/məˈlɪʃə/"]/US /["/məˈlɪʃə/"]/
Definition
a group of people who are not professional soldiers but who have had military training and can act as an army
In simple words: A group of people who are not professional soldiers but are trained to fight.
Examples
- He said he would call out the state militia if the rebels did not surrender.
- The anarchists started to form volunteer militias.
- a highly armed militia
- The militia was/were there to enforce order.
Usage notes
Used mainly in discussions about defense or armed groups. May have political connotations. Avoid in informal contexts.
Grammar pattern
militia + noun
Memory hint
Think 'military but not' - a local fighting group instead of trained soldiers.
Collocations
- armed
- volunteer
- local
- join
- serve in
- organize
- company
- forces
- group
Synonyms
- paramilitary
- security force
- home guard
- reserve force
Antonyms
- regular army
- professional military
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'military' which refers to professional armed forces.
- Using 'militia' to refer to any group, when it specifically means a trained fighting group.
- Assuming all militias are illegal or extremist, as some can be state-sanctioned.