Navy
A navy or maritime force is the branch of a nation’s armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It includes anything conducted by surface ships, amphibious ships, submarines, and seaborne aviation, as well as ancillary support, communications, training, and other fields. The strategic offensive role of a navy is projection of force into areas beyond a country’s shores (for example, to protect sea-lanes, ferry troops, or attack other navies, ports, or shore installations). The strategic defensive purpose of a navy is to frustrate seaborne projection-of-force by enemies. The strategic task of the navy also may incorporate nuclear deterrence by use of submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Naval operations can be broadly divided between riverine and littoral applications (brown-water navy), open-ocean applications (blue-water navy), and something in between (green-water navy), although these distinctions are more about strategic scope than tactical or operational division.
In most nations, the term “naval”, as opposed to “navy”, is interpreted as encompassing all maritime military forces, e.g., navy, naval infantry/marine corps, and coast guard forces.
Marine (adjective)
Of or pertaining to the sea.
Marine (noun)
A soldier, normally a member of a marine corps, trained to serve on board or from a ship
“He was a marine in World War II.”
Marine (noun)
A marine corps.
“He fought with the Marines in World War II.”
Marine (noun)
A painting representing some marine subject.
Navy (noun)
A country’s entire sea force, including ships and personnel.
Navy (noun)
A governmental department in charge of a country’s sea force.
Navy (noun)
A dark colour, usually called navy blue.
“color panel|000080”
Navy (adjective)
Having the dark blue colour of navy blue.
Navy (adjective)
Belonging to the navy; typical of the navy.
Marine (adjective)
relating to or found in the sea
“marine plants”
“marine biology”
Marine (adjective)
relating to shipping or naval matters
“marine insurance”
Marine (adjective)
(of artists or painting) depicting scenes at sea
“marine painters”
Marine (noun)
a member of a body of troops trained to serve on land or sea, in particular (in the UK) a member of the Royal Marines or (in the US) a member of the Marine Corps
“a contingent of 2,000 marines”