personnel

American  

[pur-suh-nel] / ˌpɜr səˈnɛl /

noun

1. a body of persons employed in an organization or place of work.

2. (used with a plural verb) persons.

   All personnel are being given the day off.

3. personnel department.

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personnel British  

/ ˌpɜːsəˈnɛl /

noun

1. the people employed in an organization or for a service or undertaking Compare materiel

2. 1. Also called: human resources.  the office or department that interviews, appoints, or keeps records of employees

   2. ( 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

Example Sentences

The Pentagon will end its academic relationship with the school in the fall, giving any military personnel currently attending classes time to finish their studies , the department said.

From BBC

His group and others sent a letter to the Police Commission pointing out the perception of bias created by sending personnel to study and train in Israel.

From Los Angeles Times

The Pentagon said the severance of ties would begin in the 2026-2027 school year, with military personnel attending classes able to finish their studies.

From Barron's

It once held as many as 10,000 U.S. military personnel.

From Los Angeles Times

The brain drain has been catastrophic at the department, which is engulfed in personnel chaos.

From Salon

Related Words

• cadre
• crew
• group
• organization
• people
• staff
• troop
• work force