- to remove any military presence or function in (an area): demilitarized zone
- to free of military character, purpose, etc
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
de•mil•i•ta•rize /diˈmɪlɪtəˌraɪz/USA pronunciation
v. [ ~ + obj], -rized, -riz•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Militaryto deprive of military character;
remove the military from:The UN forces stood in the demilitarized zone and prevented the enemies from meeting.
de•mil•i•ta•rize
(dē mil′i tə rīz′),USA pronunciation v.t., -rized, -riz•ing.
de•mil′i•ta•ri•za′tion, n.
- Militaryto deprive of military character;
free from militarism. - Militaryto place under civil instead of military control.
- Militaryto forbid military use of (a border zone).
- de- + militarize 1880–85
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
demilitarize, demilitarise /diːˈmɪlɪtəˌraɪz/ vb (transitive)