light infantry

American  

noun

1. foot soldiers with lightweight weapons and minimal field equipment.

2. infantry units with a minimal number of crew-served weapons and other supporting equipment.

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Etymology

Origin of light infantry

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Azerbaijan "had only targeted legitimate military targets," he said, and avoided using heavy weapons like tanks in favour of light infantry.

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2023

They intend to add M-10 battalions to their light infantry brigade combat teams, including airborne units.

From Washington Times • Jun. 17, 2023

It’s primarily designed for reconnaissance missions and has enough armor to protect against light infantry weapons, according to the French defense ministry.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 5, 2023

In 2017, a woman was accepted into the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment, an elite light infantry unit that operates alongside the Army’s most prestigious commando teams under the Joint Special Operations Command.

From New York Times • Feb. 25, 2020

He honesdy believed that the grenadiers and light infantry were merely going to be taught ‘new evolutions.’

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes