People's Liberation Army
Proper noun 1. The People's Liberation Army: The armed forces of the People's Republic of China. It is one of the largest military forces in the world and comprises the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and Strategic Support Force. 2. (Historical/Contextual) A militant organization: A radical group historically active in Northern Ireland, dedicated to the removal of British forces and the unification of Ireland. (Note: This usage is specific and historical; the primary contemporary reference is to the Chinese military.)
- Referring to the Chinese military:
- The People's Liberation Army celebrated its anniversary with a parade.
- Modernization has been a key goal for the People's Liberation Army in recent decades.
- Referring to the historical militant group:
- In the late 20th century, the People's Liberation Army was one of several paramilitary groups involved in the conflict.
- The term is often abbreviated as "the PLA".
- PLA Navy ships conducted exercises in the South China Sea.
- It can be used attributively (like an adjective) to describe things related to it.
- He studied PLA doctrine and strategy.
- PLA: The standard acronym for the People's Liberation Army.
- People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN): The naval branch of the PLA.
- People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF): The air force branch of the PLA.
- Chinese military: A general term for the armed forces of China.
- Chinese armed forces: A formal term synonymous with the People's Liberation Army.
The meaning of "People's Liberation Army" is highly context-dependent. In global contemporary discourse, it almost exclusively refers to the military of China. The reference to the Northern Irish group is a specialized, historical usage. Readers must rely on context to determine which entity is being discussed.
- a radical terrorist group dedicated to the removal of British forces from Northern Ireland and the unification of Ireland