Dictionary of Military Terms

This is the comprehensive, standardized dictionary of military and associated terminology compiled and used by the Department of Defense. Divided into two sections, The Dictionary of Military Terms contains the terms and definitions approved for Department of Defense (DOD) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) use as well as a complete listing of commonly used abbreviations and acronyms. These military and associated terms, together with their definitions, constitute approved terminology for general use by all DOD components.

The Dictionary of Military Terms supplements standard English-language dictionaries and standardizes military and associated terminology to improve communication and mutual understanding within DOD, with other federal agencies, and among the United States and its allies. It is the primary terminology source when preparing correspondence, to include policy, strategy, doctrine, and planning documents. This publication applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Services, the Joint Staff, combatant commands, DOD agencies, and all other DOD components, and covers terms such as:

active defense

battle damage assessment

candidate target list

directed energy

event matrix

footprint

hub and spoke distribution

mobilization

nonconventional assisted recovery

protection

retained personnel

special operations

survival, evasion, resistance, and escape

weapons readiness state

and more!

The U.S. Department of Defense oversees the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. It is headquartered at the Pentagon.