midshipman

American  

[mid-ship-muhn, mid-ship-] / ˈmɪdˌʃɪp mən, mɪdˈʃɪp- /

noun

plural

midshipmen

1. a student, as at the U.S. Naval Academy, in training for commission as ensign in the Navy or second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.

2. British Navy.

   1. an officer of the rank held by young men immediately upon graduating from the government naval schools.

   2. (initial capital letter) the title and rank of such a graduate.

   3. (formerly) one of a class of boys or young men who formed the group from which officers were chosen.

3. Also called singingfish.  any toadfish of the genus Porichthys, having many small luminous organs on the underside and producing a buzzing sound with its air bladder.

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midshipman British  

/ ˈmɪdˌʃɪpmən /

noun

1. a probationary rank held by young naval officers under training, or an officer holding such a rank

2. any of several American toadfishes of the genus Porichthys, having small light-producing organs on the undersurface of their bodies

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Etymology

Origin of midshipman

First recorded in 1620–30; midship + -man

Example Sentences

I’ll always shout “Go Navy! Beat Army!” knowing that the midshipmen and cadets serve a cause greater than self.

From The Wall Street Journal

More than 125 of Ms. Sherrill’s fellow midshipman were implicated in the Navy’s investigation, and 24 were expelled.

From The Wall Street Journal

The navy did not want its midshipmen wasting their time on such frivolities.

From BBC

A retired Navy commander organized an effort to make the banned books available to midshipmen.

From Salon

After the climb is complete, they’re called fourth class midshipmen, not plebes.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• student
• youth