naval

[ney-vuhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to warships.

   a naval battle; naval strength.

2. of or relating to ships of all kinds.

   naval architecture; naval engineer.

3. belonging to, pertaining to, or connected with a navy.

   naval affairs.

4. possessing a navy.

   the great naval powers.

naval

/ ˈneɪvəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, characteristic of, or having a navy

2. of or relating to ships; nautical

Other Word Forms

• navally adverb
• nonnaval adjective
• prenaval adjective
• pronaval adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of naval¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin nāvālis, equivalent to nāv(is) “ship” + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of naval¹

C16: from Latin nāvālis, from nāvis ship; related to Greek naus, Old Norse nōr ship, Sanskrit nau

Example Sentences

A Ventura County naval base wants its neighbors to know they’re going to host some guests — and things might get loud over the next few weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

The strikes come amid reports that the US has deployed several naval warships to the region in support of anti-narcotics operations against Venezuela.

From BBC

And the weaponry that he showed off on Wednesday, much of which emphasised China's naval capabilities, is bound to worry Taiwanese leaders.

From BBC

China has been developing missiles and rocket forces as a key part of its deterrence strategy - and to counter the US' naval superiority, Mr Neill says.

From BBC

The US military has moved to bolster its forces in the southern Caribbean over the last two months, including through the deployment of additional naval vessels and thousands of US Marines and sailors.

From BBC

Related Words

• marine 
• maritime 
• oceangoing 
• seafaring