marines

ma-rines · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Members of a military force trained for service at sea and on land; soldiers of the Marine Corps.

  2. 2.

    (the Marines) A branch of the armed forces trained for amphibious and expeditionary warfare.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    tell it to the marines — an expression of disbelief (British informal)
  • •
    once a marine, always a marine — a saying about the lifelong identity of marines

Related words

See also: marine, military, navy, soldier
Synonyms: servicemembers, soldiers, troops

Etymology

Plural of marine, from Latin marinus ("of the sea"), from mare ("sea"). The military use developed in the 17th century.