personnel
Americannoun
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a body of persons employed in an organization or place of work.
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(used with a plural verb) persons.
All personnel are being given the day off.
noun
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the people employed in an organization or for a service or undertaking Compare materiel
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Also called: human resources. the office or department that interviews, appoints, or keeps records of employees
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( as modifier )
a personnel officer
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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.
Etymology
Origin of personnel
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
Explanation
Personnel is a noun describing a group of people who follow orders, usually at a company. If you have a job, you’re probably considered personnel to be managed. The word personnel is also sometimes short for the "personnel department," another name for the human resources or employment office. One of the things they might have in the personnel department is your personnel, which contains your employment records.
Vocabulary lists containing personnel
Nothing But the Truth
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Commonly Confused Words, List 1
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Fallen Angels
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I think all of us probably lost some sleep at night once we really figured out how hazardous some of these vessels are and knew that our personnel were on board,” Tama said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026
Switzerland has approved the deployment of 2,000-5,000 military personnel to "support" the cantonal police.
From Barron's • Jun. 14, 2026
“Our deputies did not go in, but they let military personnel know that he was on the base,” Gwisdalla said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2026
Over a series of nights, US Air Force personnel at twin bases in Suffolk reported seeing strange lights in the forest, along with what some described as a landed craft of unknown origin.
From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026
At first too stunned to move, he recovered in time to shout into the phone, “Send all available rescue vehicles and personnel immediately—there’s a wave of molasses coming down Commercial Street!”
From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
