personnel

noun

per·​son·​nel ˌpər-sə-ˈnel How to pronounce personnel (audio)
1
a
: a body of persons usually employed (as in a factory or organization)
b
personnel plural : persons
2
: a division of an organization concerned with personnel

Examples of personnel in a Sentence

Women are also underrepresented as police force members, composing less than 13 percent of sworn personnel, despite the proven benefits of having more women in blue, such as less use of excessive force and improved response to domestic violence. Cortney Rock, Ms., Winter 2007
When the staff returned to the Oval Office, Bush's mood was upbeat, according to a White House aide who was present (and who, like all White House personnel quoted in this story, follows a policy of not being quoted by name). Richard Wolffe et al., Newsweek, 19 June 2006
The doorway that sheltered them from the rain leads to government offices now, but in Franco's time the building was a political prison. Its personnel and their diligent labours earned the place a charming nom de guerre—the House of Screams. A. L. Kennedy, On Bullfighting, 1999
The only firm rule is: Armored personnel carriers have the right of way. P. J. O'Rourke, Holidays in Hell, 1988
Over 10,000 military personnel were stationed in the country. They've reduced the number of personnel working on the project. Talk to personnel if you have any questions about your health insurance. She's the director of personnel.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Vikings have improved their personnel by adding Blake Cashman, Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel while playing a more complex system that is difficult for opposing offensive coordinators and quarterbacks to decipher. Steve Silverman, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 DuBose was down on the field for more than 10 minutes as medical personnel had to cut off his jersey, unscrewed his facemask and place a neck brace on him before he was carted off NRG Stadium in Houston. Wayne Sterling, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024 This decision involved experienced motorsport personnel, including Cyril Abiteboul, a former F1 team boss now spearheading Genesis Magma Racing. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024 The bomb shelter was a joint effort of AT&T and the U.S. Department of Defense to protect the region's telecommunications network and personnel. Jack Randall, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for personnel 

Word History

Etymology

French, from German Personale, Personal, from Medieval Latin personale, from Late Latin, neuter of personalis personal

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of personnel was in 1837

Dictionary Entries Near personnel

Cite this Entry

“Personnel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personnel. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

personnel

noun
per·​son·​nel ˌpərs-ᵊn-ˈel How to pronounce personnel (audio)
: a group of persons employed (as in a public service, a factory, or an office)

More from Merriam-Webster on personnel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!