- a body of citizens enrolled for military service, and called out periodically for drill but serving full time only in emergencies.
- a body of citizen soldiers as distinguished from professional soldiers.
- all able-bodied males considered by law eligible for military service.
- a body of citizens organized in a paramilitary group and typically regarding themselves as defenders of individual rights against the presumed interference of the federal government.
- a body of citizen (as opposed to professional) soldiers
- an organization containing men enlisted for service in emergency only
