field marshal

American  

noun

1. an officer of the highest military rank in the British and certain other armies, and of the second highest rank in the French army.

---

field marshal British  

noun

1. an officer holding the highest rank in the British and certain other armies

---

Etymology

Origin of field marshal

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

field marshal

And as a field marshal, he is allowed to take on additional duties even after his retirement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025

But Aqil Shah, author and professor at Georgetown University, said the conflict "was dominated by air combat, not land-based operations" which are typically associated with field marshal honours.

From Barron's ● Nov. 14, 2025

Melissah Shishido, 60, a friend and fifth-grade teacher, emerged as field marshal for the operation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2023

Despite being specifically forbidden to do so, on January 31, 1943, German field marshal Friedrich Paulus surrendered what was left of his Sixth Army.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022

“This is not peace,” declared French field marshal Ferdinand Foch.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman