personnel

[pur-suh-nel]

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.

personnel

/ 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

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of personnel¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of personnel¹

C19: from French, ultimately from Late Latin persōnālis personal (adj); see _person

Example Sentences

He said the Journal’s description of the incident, based on a different, internal complaint reviewed by the Journal, mischaracterized a confidential personnel matter.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This year, the city had to close a nearly $1-billion shortfall caused largely by rising personnel costs, soaring legal payouts and a slowdown in the local economy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Upon testing "around 30 personnel presented noise and vibration symptoms".

Read more on BBC

Tinubu said that more personnel would be deployed to "vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping".

Read more on BBC

Another clip shows her on a stretcher, with medical personnel escorting her out of the hotel lobby.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cadre 
• crew 
• group 
• organization 
• people 
• staff 
• troop 
• work force www.thesaurus.com