Definition

Noun 1. A component of a nation's armed forces that is not in full-time active service but is available to be mobilized in times of need, such as a war or national emergency. - This refers specifically to trained military personnel who maintain their skills through periodic training while primarily holding civilian jobs, ready to supplement the active forces when required.

Usage

• The term is used to describe the collective body of reserve personnel or the concept of such a force.
• It functions as a singular noun but refers to a group (e.g., ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • After his active duty ended, he served in the military reserve for another six years.
  • The government called up the military reserve to assist with the national disaster response.
  • Training one weekend a month is common for members of the military reserve.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in the military reserve": to have the status of a reserve service member.
  • She is a teacher but is also in the military reserve.
• "call up the military reserve" / "mobilize the military reserve": to officially order reserve forces to active duty.
  • The president authorized the mobilization of the military reserve.

Variants and Related Words

• Reservist (n): An individual who serves in a military reserve force.
  • My neighbor is an army reservist.
• Reserve component (n): A formal term often used interchangeably with or to describe the military reserve within a nation's armed forces structure.
• National Guard (n, proper): In the United States, a specific reserve military force that serves both state and federal governments. (This is a type of military reserve but is a specific institutional name).

Synonyms

• Reserve forces: The most direct synonym.
• Auxiliary forces: Suggests a supplementary, supporting role.
• Standby forces: Emphasizes the state of readiness.

Related Phrases

• On reserve status: The condition of being part of the military reserve.
  • The officer was placed on reserve status after twenty years of active service.
• Reserve duty: The training or service performed by a reservist.
  • He left his office job for two weeks of annual reserve duty.

Noun

1. armed forces that are not on active duty but can be called in an emergency