naval

UK: /ˈneɪv^əl/ US: /ˈneɪvəl/ ,(nā′vəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

na•val /ˈneɪvəl/   adj. [before a noun]

1. Naval Terms of or relating to ships.
2. relating to a navy.

See -nav-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

na•val  (nā′vəl), adj. 

1. Naval Terms of or pertaining to warships:
   a naval battle; naval strength.
2. Naval Terms, Nautical of or pertaining 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.

• Latin nāvālis, equivalent. to nāv(is) ship + -ālis -al¹
• 1585–95

na′val•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

naval / ˈneɪv^əl/ adjective

1. of, relating to, characteristic of, or having a navy
2. of or relating to ships; nautical

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin nāvālis, from nāvis ship; related to Greek naus, Old Norse nōr ship, Sanskrit nau