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 Medical personnel arrived at Resorts World and transported the victim to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 The Pentagon oversees the White House medical team, which is staffed by career military medical personnel and has become the focus of several investigations in the wake of Jackson’s tenure. Alex Horton, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 During the second practice session for the race, 79 WhatsApp messages, said to be between Horner and the employee, were leaked to the media and top Formula 1 personnel, putting the company’s decision—and Horner’s job—into question. Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 There was frustration from some Dolphins players with Fangio’s schematic and personnel decisions. Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Local governments have raised concerns about their ability to fund the governor’s more ambitious policy directives and to quickly train police and other personnel to abide by the new laws. Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 According to Reuters, there are 77 Indian soldiers and 12 medical personnel from the Indian armed forces in Maldives. Helen Regan, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 Jail medical staff assisted Goode until emergency medical personnel and the Indianapolis Fire Department arrived. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2024 Even with graders, plows and tractors to help them clear snow, emergency personnel and tow trucks struggled to reach motorists for hours, some of whom were forced to abandon their cars on the highway. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'personnel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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

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