navy

[ney-vee] /ˈneɪ vi/
noun, plural navies.
1.
the whole body of warships and auxiliaries belonging to a country or ruler.
2.
(often initial capital letter) 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 initial capital letter) the department of government charged with its management.
4.
navy blue.
5.
Archaic. a fleet of ships.
Origin
1300-50; Middle English navie < Middle French < Vulgar Latin *navia, equivalent to Latin nāv(is) ship + -ia -y3
Related forms
pronavy, adjective
Examples from the web for navy
  • It did so by announcing four years ago its intention to convert the country's navy to a fleet powered by electric motors.
  • Anchor a crisp navy- and-white decorating scheme with a pair of streamlined armchairs.
  • No one who has not some knowledge of the army and navy will appreciate how much this means.
  • The navy and transports ran the batteries successfully.
  • These might run down at night and inflict great damage upon us before they could be sunk or captured by our navy.
  • navy sonar has been accused of harming the hearing of large marine mammals such as whales and dolphins.
  • Furthermore, the prime minister has appointed a commission of inquiry led by a retired judge to examine the navy's action.
  • It was painted a fashionable dark navy some years ago, and acquired hanging baskets of petunias.
  • The nuns are whispering together in their navy-blue veils.
  • The pirates have even attacked navy ships, apparently by mistake.
British Dictionary definitions for navy

navy

/ˈneɪvɪ/
noun (pl) -vies
1.
the warships and auxiliary vessels of a nation or ruler
2.
(often capital) the navy, the branch of a country's armed services comprising such ships, their crews, and all their supporting services and equipment
3.
short for navy blue
4.
(archaic or literary) a fleet of ships
5.
(as modifier): a navy custom
Word Origin
C14: via Old French from Vulgar Latin nāvia (unattested) ship, from Latin nāvis ship
Word Origin and History for navy
n.

early 14c., "fleet of ships, especially for purposes of war," from Old French navie "fleet, ship," from Latin navigia, plural of navigium "vessel, boat," from navis "ship" (see naval). Meaning "a nation's collective, organized sea power" is from 1530s. The Old English words were sciphere (usually of Viking invaders) and scipfierd (usually of the home defenses). Navy blue was the color of the British naval uniform. Navy bean attested from 1856, so called because they were grown to be used by the Navy.