verb (used with object), de·mil·i·ta·rized, de·mil·i·ta·riz·ing.
- to deprive of military character; free from militarism.
- to place under civil instead of military control.
- to forbid military use of (a border zone).
verb (tr)
- to remove any military presence or function in (an area)demilitarized zone
- to free of military character, purpose, etc11 regiments were demilitarized
1883, in reference to the Austrian military frontier in the Balkans; see de- + military + -ize. Demilitarized zone attested by 1921 (the Versailles Treaty uses neutralized zone).