personnel

[pur-suh-nel]

noun

1. a body of persons employed in an organization or place of work.

2. (used with a plural verb),  persons.

   All personnel are being given the day off.

3. personnel department.

personnel

/ ˌpɜːsəˈnɛl /

noun

1. the people employed in an organization or for a service or undertaking Compare materiel

2. 1. Also called: human resources. the office or department that interviews, appoints, or keeps records of employees

   2. ( as modifier )

      a personnel officer

Usage

Some usage guides object to the use of personnel as a plural. However, this use is well established and standard in all varieties of speech and writing. The use of personnel with a preceding number is largely restricted to business and government communications: Six personnel were transferred.

Word History and Origins

Origin of personnel¹

1825–35; < French, noun use of personnel (adj.) personal < Late Latin persōnāle, neuter of persōnālis; replacing personal (noun), Anglicized form of French personnel; compare German Personal, variant of Personale, Italian personale. See matériel

Word History and Origins

Origin of personnel¹

C19: from French, ultimately from Late Latin persōnālis personal (adj); see _person

Example Sentences

A White House spokeswoman said earlier Sunday that the president “exercised his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel in Portland following violent riots and attacks on law enforcement.”

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Texas National Guard soldiers were employed protecting federal personnel and property in the greater Chicago area as of Wednesday evening, a U.S.

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He said the Journal’s description of the incident, based on the internal complaint, mischaracterized a confidential personnel matter.

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The FAA often delegates routine inspections to aerospace manufacturers to focus scarce personnel on more critical tasks.

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If she’s truly going to run CBS News, it’s easy to imagine Mr. Ellison’s time filled with angry personnel fights disproportionate to any bigger game he’s after, which involves movies, Hollywood and streaming.

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Related Words

• cadre 
• crew 
• group 
• organization 
• people 
• staff 
• troop 
• work force www.thesaurus.com