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military march

military march

3.9
Brisk music with a steady beat that helps soldiers walk together in parades
  • noun
  • /ˈmɪlɪˌtɛri mɑrtʃ/
translation icon : marcha militar
  • During the ceremony, the sound of the military march filled the air, signaling the troops to step in sync.

Examples

  • At first, the music sounds like a military march, but the fife has an exaggerated and somewhat satirical air.

    Academic text (1991)
  • [Military March]

  • As the military march plays.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • The police brass hand, comic to me then as it was now, played military marches in praise of our queen.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • (military march)

  • (military march)

  • (BAND PLAYING MILITARY MARCH)

  • The band played a lively military march as the soldiers paraded through the streets.

  • At the celebration, we heard a stirring military march that honored the veterans of past conflicts.

Synonyms

march
vsmilitary march
  • Specialized
8 3.2

A piece of music with a strong, steady beat for bands

is specifically for soldiers in parades and ceremonies rather than any walking
martial music
vsmilitary march
1 4.7

Lively music with a strong beat played for soldiers marching or military parades

means the same but is expressed using a different label
marching music
vsmilitary march
1 3.7

Music with a strong regular beat played by bands for parades

is used specifically for soldiers moving in parades and ceremonies
military music
vsmilitary march
3.9

Brisk rhythmic music played by bands for soldiers to march or at ceremonies

is the same idea but is called by another name
quickstep
vsmilitary march
  • Specialized
7.2

A fast marching tune used when soldiers march

is used at the ordinary steady pace rather than a faster one
processional march
vsmilitary march
  • Formal
6.3

Music with a steady marching beat played during a formal procession

is intended specifically for soldiers in parades and ceremonies

How Brisk

quick march
  • UK
1 5.1
military march
3.9
processional march
  • Formal
6.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

military + march

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'military' (relating to soldiers/armed forces) with 'march' (a piece of rhythmic music or procession), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a march used by the military. This adjective + noun composition is common cross-linguistically and follows standard English patterns, making the MWE immediately comprehensible.

Etymology

Military march comes from music written to match the steady steps of soldiers, with drums and brass giving a clear beat. That walking rhythm helped soldiers move together in parades or on the road, so today military march means a quick piece of music with a regular beat for soldiers to march to.