Navy

UK: /ˈneɪvi/ US: /ˈneɪvi/ ,(nā′vē)

Inflections of 'navy' (n): npl: navies

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

na•vy /ˈneɪvi/   n., pl. -vies. 

1. Military [countable] the warships and supplies used for fighting at sea, belonging to a country or ruler.
2. Military the complete body of such warships, together with the people, equipment, etc., that make up the sea power of a nation:
   [uncountable* often: the + Navy] joined the Navy.
3. [uncountable] Also, navy blue. dark blue in color.

See -nav-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

na•vy  (nā′vē), n., pl. -vies. 

1. Military the whole body of warships and auxiliaries belonging to a country or ruler.
2. Military (often cap.) the complete body of such warships together with their officers and enlisted personnel, equipment, yards, etc., constituting the sea power of a nation.
3. (often cap.) the department of government charged with its management.
4. See navy blue. 
5. [Archaic.] a fleet of ships.

• Vulgar Latin *navia, equivalent. to Latin nāv(is) ship + -ia -y³
• Middle French
• Middle English navie 1300–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

navy / ˈneɪvɪ/ noun ( -vies)

1. the warships and auxiliary vessels of a nation or ruler
2. the navy ⇒ (often capital) the branch of a country's armed services comprising such ships, their crews, and all their supporting services and equipment
3. Also: navy blue dark blue
4. a fleet of ships

Etymology: 14th Century: via Old French from Vulgar Latin nāvia (unattested) ship, from Latin nāvis ship