navy

noun

na·​vy ˈnā-vē 

plural navies

1

: a group of ships : fleet

2

: a nation's ships of war and of logistic support

3

often Navy : the complete naval establishment of a nation including yards, stations, ships, and personnel

4

: a dark grayish purplish blue

Examples of navy in a Sentence

A similar submarine is used by several foreign navies.

a career in the navy

The shirt comes in black, white, and navy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Over an untucked ecru button-up and straight-legged navy trousers, D’Arcy wore a gravity-defying blazer, looking as though they got caught in a gust of wind. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026

The shoulder bag is also available in several staple colors for fall, including this gorgeous cacao brown colorway, as well as a creamy Mojave, deep navy, and warm toast. — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2026

Despite lacking much of a traditional navy, Ukraine has successfully challenged Russian naval control of the Black Sea by deploying both aerial drones and drone boats to strike Russian warships and ports. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 6 Oct. 2026

For almost two decades, Colombia’s military deployed joint task forces — with troops from the army, the navy and the air force — to fight rebel groups in rural areas. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English navie, from Anglo-French, from Latin navigia ships, from navigare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing navy

• master chief petty officer of the navy
• navy bean
• navy blue
• navy yard

Rhymes for navy

• gravy
• wavy

Kids Definition

navy

noun

na·​vy ˈnā-vē 

plural navies

1

: a fleet of ships

2

: a nation's warships

3

often capitalized : a nation's complete equipment and organization for sea warfare

4

: a dark purplish blue