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

It certainly feels one of many missteps by England to play Jacks and not a specialist spinner at Adelaide, although for some it is a case of personnel.

From BBC

At one of the district's main entrances, an armed member of the government security forces was holding a walkie-talkie and a map of where his personnel were deployed.

From Barron's

The wreckage was located by Turkish security personnel in the Haymana district near Ankara.

From Barron's

Among the documents released are emails appearing to be sent between FBI personnel in 2019 that mention 10 possible "co-conspirators" of Epstein.

From BBC

The wreckage of their Falcon 50 aircraft was located by Turkish security personnel in the Haymana district near Ankara, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.

From Barron's

Related Words

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