personnel

noun

per·​son·​nel ˌpər-sə-ˈnel How to pronounce personnel (audio)
Synonyms of personnel
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

Synonyms of personnel

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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.
Requiring personnel to document a legitimate law-enforcement reason and associated case number before conducting a license-plate search. — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 Jeanie Buss fires her siblings, Part 1 Four years after Jerry’s death, Jeanie fired her brother Jim, the Lakers’ executive vice president of player personnel. — Law Murray, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Only emergency personnel and first responders are allowed to be in the river. — John Tufts, IndyStar, 19 Aug. 2026 His sliding popularity, flip-flopping on key personnel decisions, and entanglement in corruption allegations, have taken their toll on his poll ratings. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 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

1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of personnel was in 1814

Phrases Containing personnel

Rhymes for personnel

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Browse Nearby Words

personize
personnel
personnel administration
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Cite this Entry

“Personnel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personnel. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of personnel for Spanish Speakers

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