marshal

American  

[mahr-shuhl] / ˈmɑr ʃəl /

noun

1. a military officer of the highest rank, as in the French and some other armies.

2. an administrative officer of a U.S. judicial district who performs duties similar to those of a sheriff.

3. a court officer serving processes, attending court, giving personal service to the judges, etc.

4. the chief of a police or fire department in some cities.

5. a police officer in some communities.

6. sky marshal.

7. a higher officer of a royal household or court.

8. an official charged with the arrangement or regulation of ceremonies, parades, etc..

   the marshal of the St. Patrick's Day parade.

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verb (used with object)

marshaled, marshaling, marshalled, marshalling

1. to arrange in proper order; set out in an orderly manner; arrange clearly.

   to marshal facts; to marshal one's arguments.

   Synonyms:

   convoke, dispose, order

   Antonyms:

   scatter

2. to array, as for battle.

3. to usher or lead ceremoniously.

   Their host marshaled them into the room.

4. Heraldry. to combine (two or more coats of arms) on a single escutcheon.

marshal British  

/ ˈmɑːʃəl /

noun

1. (in some armies and air forces) an officer of the highest rank

2. (in England) an officer, usually a junior barrister, who accompanies a judge on circuit and performs miscellaneous secretarial duties

3. 1. a Federal court officer assigned to a judicial district whose functions are similar to those of a sheriff

   2. (in some states) the chief police or fire officer

4. an officer who organizes or conducts ceremonies, parades, etc

5. Also called: knight marshal.  (formerly in England) an officer of the royal family or court, esp one in charge of protocol

6. an obsolete word for ostler

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verb

1. to arrange in order

   to marshal the facts

2. to assemble and organize (troops, vehicles, etc) prior to onward movement

3. to arrange (assets, mortgages, etc) in order of priority

4. to guide or lead, esp in a ceremonious way

5. to combine (two or more coats of arms) on one shield

Synonym Usage

See gather.

Other Word Forms

• marshalcy
  noun
• marshaler
  noun
• marshaller
  noun
• marshalship
  noun
• remarshal
  verb (used with object)
• submarshal
  noun
• undermarshal
  noun
• unmarshaled
  adjective
• unmarshalled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of marshal

1225–75; Middle English marshal, syncopated variant of mareschal < Old French < Germanic; compare Old High German marahscalh groom, equivalent to marah horse ( see mare ¹) + scalh servant, cognate with Old English scealc

Explanation

A federal marshal knocks on your door. You panic: a marshal is a law officer. What do you do? You marshal your thoughts, that is, put them in order. Marshal derives from the Old French mareschal, for stable officer. The stable officer had charge of the horses, tending to them, putting them in order, readying them for action. If you are a marshal, you're an officer. If you marshal yourself, you get yourself ready, preparing for action.

Example Sentences

RAND: Being able to marshal a lot of facts and evidence to refute conspiracy beliefs is really important.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

Steve Buscemi appeared in a pre-recorded comedic bit, and Eminem surfaced in a stylized role as a fire marshal figure in a sketch that helped drive the episode’s surreal tone.

From Salon • May 23, 2026

This year, Babcock has been invited to serve as grand marshal for the Tulsa Christmas Parade.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

US President Donald Trump frequently refers to Munir as his "favourite field marshal", after a rapport built during US efforts to defuse a short but intense armed conflict between Pakistan and rival India last year.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Walking into a general store, the marshal went over to a large red box and pulled back the lid.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

• assemble
• mobilize