# marines

/mɝˈinz/ (US) · /məɹˈiːnz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/marines
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. military branch

noun · CEFR B2

a military group trained to fight on land and at sea.

For teachers: A military force trained for amphibious warfare, typically serving as a specialised branch of a nation's navy.

- After finishing high school, he decided to join the marines to see the world.
- The marines were deployed to the coastal region to secure the harbour before the main army units arrived.

Usage: Often capitalised when referring to a specific national branch, such as the Royal Marines.

Teaching tip: In the US, 'the Marines' refers specifically to the US Marine Corps, which is a distinct branch from the Army or Navy.

### 2. individual soldiers

noun · CEFR B2

the individual soldiers who belong to a marine corps.

For teachers: The plural form of marine, referring to individual members of an amphibious military unit.

- Several marines stood guard at the entrance to the embassy.
- A small group of marines remained behind to coordinate the evacuation of the remaining civilians from the shoreline.

Usage: Used as a countable plural noun.

## Examples

- He joined the marines right after finishing high school.
- The marines were deployed to the coastal region to secure the harbor for incoming aid ships.
- Historical accounts of the conflict emphasize the role of the marines in establishing a beachhead under heavy fire, which allowed the rest of the army to land safely.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.