yeoman

[ yoh-muhn ]

/ ˈyoʊ mən /

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See synonyms for yeoman on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural yeo·men.

a petty officer in a navy, having chiefly clerical duties in the U.S. Navy.

British. a farmer who cultivates his own land.

History/Historical. one of a class of lesser freeholders, below the gentry, who cultivated their own land, early admitted in England to political rights.

Archaic.

a servant, attendant, or subordinate official in a royal or other great household.
a subordinate or assistant, as of a sheriff or other official or in a craft or trade.

adjective

of, pertaining to, composed of, or characteristic of yeomen: the yeoman class.

performed or rendered in a loyal, valiant, useful, or workmanlike manner, especially in situations that involve a great deal of effort or labor: He did a yeoman job on the problem.

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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of yeoman

1300–50; Middle English yeman, yoman, probably reduced forms of yengman, yongman, yungman, with similar sense; see young, man

Words nearby yeoman

Yeniseian, Yenisei Ostyak, yenta, Yentai, yeo., yeoman, yeomanly, yeoman of the guard, yeomanry, yeoman's service, yep

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use yeoman in a sentence

These yeomen remained committed to Protestant liberty and the defense of community members.
The Rise and Fall of a Dangerous Political Movement in Revolutionary America|Brendan McConville|September 28, 2021|Time
The rise of the yeoman class in Britain was particularly critical in foreshadowing the evolution of America.
In the Future We'll All Be Renters: America's Disappearing Middle Class|Joel Kotkin|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All this suggests what could be seen as the proletarianization of the yeoman class.
In the Future We'll All Be Renters: America's Disappearing Middle Class|Joel Kotkin|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This low turnout is remarkable given how unfavorably Obama is viewed by much of the yeoman class.
Off the Rails: How the Party of Lincoln Became the Party of Plutocrats|Joel Kotkin|November 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST

It is small, fits easily in a standard kitchen utility drawer, and does yeoman duty when called upon.
The Chef's Secret Weapon|Chad Ward|November 3, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Dorothy led Jack off to the stable, and the half-frozen yeoman turned in to enjoy his cheerful fire.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
But during the retreat he led the van and did yeoman service in restoring order among the disheartened troops.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Thorstein was the yeoman who dwelt there & he gave them shelter and good cheer for the night, and there they slept in good beds.
The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald The Tyrant (Harald Haardraade)|Snorri Sturluson
Then all who were present fell to laughing, so that the yeoman sat himself down again.
The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald The Tyrant (Harald Haardraade)|Snorri Sturluson
Up to this moment Meadows had treated Mr. Clinton with a marked deference, as from yeoman to gentleman.
It Is Never Too Late to Mend|Charles Reade

British Dictionary definitions for yeoman

yeoman

/ (ˈjəʊmən) /

noun plural -men

history

a member of a class of small freeholders of common birth who cultivated their own land
an assistant or other subordinate to an official, such as a sheriff, or to a craftsman or trader
an attendant or lesser official in a royal or noble household

(in Britain) another name for yeoman of the guard

(modifier) characteristic of or relating to a yeoman

a petty officer or noncommissioned officer in the Royal Navy or Marines in charge of signals

Word Origin for yeoman

C15: perhaps from yongman young man

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

yeoman

Origin of yeoman

Words nearby yeoman

Words related to yeoman

How to use yeoman in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for yeoman

Word Origin for yeoman