martial law – military control and government, not civilian rule
(Pronounced mahr-shuhl law)
To remember the definition of the words martial law, use the following mnemonic:
The marshal was the law (martial law) of the town, until the military took control.
Examples of martial law in a sentence
The government may declare martial law in response to the latest violence in the region.
The city remains firmly under martial law.
Martial law has now been lifted.
