War and Peace: English Vocabulary List

the branch of the armed forces that operates in the air using fighter aircraft

"The air force was ready."

"The air force launched several airstrikes against enemy positions before the ground troops moved in."

the branch of the armed forces that operates at sea using warships, destroyers, etc.

"The navy sailed away."

"The navy patrols international waters to protect trade routes from piracy and other maritime threats."

weapons in general, especially those used by the military

"The soldiers carried arms."

"The treaty restricted the sale of arms to conflict zones in an effort to reduce violence."

a small bomb that explodes in a few seconds, can be thrown by hand or fired from a gun

"The soldier threw a grenade at the enemy."

"The soldier threw a grenade at the enemy position and then quickly took cover behind the wall."

a gun that can be used with one hand

"The handgun was loaded."

"Carrying a handgun without a proper license is illegal in most countries around the world today."

to enter a territory using armed forces in order to occupy or take control of it

"The army invaded the neighboring country."

"The dictator made the terrible decision to invade the neighboring country in order to gain access to its rich oil fields and ports."

a fight in which two or more individuals or groups use guns

"The gunfight was intense."

"The gunfight broke out suddenly in the saloon causing customers to dive under tables for safety."

equipped with weapons or firearms

"The robber is armed."

"The armed robber pointed a gun at the cashier and demanded all the money from the register."

(of a city, country, etc.) captured and under the control, authority, or presence of foreign military forces or other entities

"The city is occupied."

"The once vibrant capital city remained occupied by enemy forces for several long and difficult months."

someone who is captured by the enemy during a war

"He was a prisoner of war for two years."

"The soldier was held as a prisoner of war for three years before he was finally released."

having a strong and unpleasant taste or smell

"The socks are rank."

"The rank smell of the locker room made her gag and she held her breath as she walked past the door quickly."

a person who is forced to leave their own country because of war, natural disaster, etc.

"The refugee fled from war."

"A refugee is a person forced to flee their country due to persecution"

a ship that is made for war and has weapons

"The warship was huge."

"The warship was equipped with advanced radar and missile systems capable of detecting threats from far away."

an inhuman act that is done during a war, which is against the rules of war

"The general was tried for war crimes."

"The general was tried for war crimes because his troops deliberately attacked civilians and destroyed hospitals during the conflict."

a ship moving above and below the sea, which is powered by nuclear energy and is usually armed with weapons such as missile

"The nuclear submarine was silent."

"A nuclear submarine can remain submerged for months without surfacing because its reactor needs no oxygen."

to damage or destroy something severely

"He wrecks his father's new car."

"The teenager accidentally wrecked his father's car by driving too fast on the wet and slippery road."

valuable items that are taken by force, especially during a war

"They found the spoil."

"The victorious army returned home laden with the rich spoil plundered from the conquered territories."

to cause physical harm or injury to someone

"The bullet wounds the soldier badly."

"The hunter's bullet wounded the deer but did not kill it immediately and the animal ran away into the forest."

a missile aimed at an aircraft from the ground or a ship

"The ground-to-air missile was launched."

"The military deployed ground to air missile batteries around the capital to protect against enemy aircraft attacks."

a missile that is aimed from an aircraft at a surface on the ground or sea

"The air-to-ground missile was fired."

"The fighter jet fired an air to ground missile that destroyed the enemy's command center completely."

a metal weapon that is consisted of a group of connected rings, which is worn on one's fingers in order to hit someone with

"Brass knuckles are dangerous."

"Carrying brass knuckles is considered a felony in many jurisdictions because they are dangerous weapons."

an aerial combat in which two or more fighter aircraft are engaged

"The dogfight was fierce."

"Two fighter jets engaged in a dogfight above the mountains each pilot trying to gain a tactical advantage."

related to the sea and the different life forms that exist there

"Fish are marine."

"Marine biologists study the creatures that live in the ocean such as whales dolphins sharks and colorful coral reefs."

to seriously injure or kill a person by shooting them, particularly someone who is defenseless

"The gunman gunned down innocent civilians."

"The security camera clearly showed the masked attacker gun down the unarmed security guard before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle."

an armed force of the United States trained for conducting specific military operations such as fighting from the sea

"He wants to join the United States Marine Corps."

"He joined the United States Marine Corps right after finishing high school at the age of eighteen."

a weapon, such as a gun or knife, that is carried on the side of the body

"The officer carried a sidearm in his holster."

"The officer drew his sidearm when he heard suspicious noises coming from inside the abandoned warehouse."

the act of fighting a war or battle

"The action was fierce."

"The general ordered immediate action to repel the invading forces."

a forward movement by soldiers

"The army advance marched."

"The army continued its advance through the forest despite heavy resistance from the opposing defensive forces."

a military facility where troops are stationed for training or operational purposes

"The soldiers lived in camp."

"The army established a temporary camp near the border to monitor the situation closely."

relating to soldiers or the armed forces

"He is in military service."

"He is in military service and has been stationed overseas for the past six months away from his family."

a field of military science that deals with the planning of an attack or defense

"That is a good strategy."

"The military commander developed a complex strategy to outmaneuver the enemy forces."

a piece of military equipment that is put on or just under the ground or in the sea, which explodes when it is touched

"The mine exploded when touched."

"The soldiers carefully searched the beach for any hidden explosive mine."

a series of operations carried out to achieve a certain military objective

"The campaign was difficult."

"The military launched a new campaign to secure the strategically important region."

to have authority over or be in charge of a unit in the army

"He will command the troops."

"The general was appointed to command the entire army division during the operation."

to leave the army, navy, etc. without permission or without fulfilling one's obligations

"He will desert the army."

"The soldier decided to desert his post and flee the battlefield during the intense conflict."

to have the power to completely or partially control someone or something

"The champion dominates every single match."

"The powerful team managed to dominate the entire game and easily defeated their weaker opponents by a large margin."

to find people to join the armed forces

"They recruit soldiers now."

"The army will recruit new soldiers for the upcoming campaign."

to hit using hands or weapons

"He will strike the target."

"The massive lightning bolt struck the old oak tree and split it into two pieces."

involving ordinary people who are not part of the armed forces

"This is a civil matter."

"The civil lawsuit was filed by the family of the victim seeking monetary damages for their loss."

a military event where military units, personnel, and equipment are displayed or marched in formation to display power or be inspected

"The soldiers marched in parade."

"The military parade displayed the nation's strength with marching troops and powerful tanks."

members of the armed forces involving those who have a lower position

"The rank was low."

"Many soldiers in the lower rank felt that their contributions were undervalued by the officers."

someone who enlists in the armed forces without being forced

"The soldier was a volunteer."

"He decided to volunteer for the army to serve his country during wartime."

a division of the armed forces such as the army, navy, air force, or marines, that performs specific duties and missions

"He joined the service."

"She dedicated twenty years of her life to military service before retiring with honors."

a heavily armored military vehicle with tracks and a large gun, used in ground combat

"The tank moved fast."

"The advanced main battle tank provided crucial support for the infantry advancing across the open terrain."

a person, building, or area marked to be attacked

"The target was clear."

"Intelligence confirmed that the enemy's primary target was the communication infrastructure within the city."

a member of one of the armed forces who can engage in operations taking place both on land and at sea, particularly a member of Royal Marines or United States Marine Corps

"He is a marine."

"The elite marine unit specialized in amphibious assaults and rapid deployment operations on hostile shores."

built in a way that does not let through any bullets or other projectiles

"The car is bulletproof."

"The bulletproof vest saved the police officer's life when he was shot during a dangerous chase."