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Colonel: meaning, definitions and examples

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colonel

 

[ ˈkɜrnəl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

military rank

A colonel is a senior military officer rank used in many countries' armed forces. It is typically above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general. Colonels are often in charge of a regiment or brigade, overseeing large units of soldiers. This rank can also be found in certain paramilitary organizations and in law enforcement. The responsibilities of a colonel include strategic planning, resource allocation, and personnel management.

Synonyms

commander, officer

Examples of usage

  • The colonel led his troops into battle.
  • She was promoted to colonel after years of dedicated service.
  • The colonel's leadership was crucial during the operation.

Translations

Translations of the word "colonel" in other languages:

🇵🇹 coronel

🇮🇳 कर्नल

🇩🇪 Oberst

🇮🇩 kolonel

🇺🇦 полковник

🇵🇱 pułkownik

🇯🇵 大佐 (たいさ)

🇫🇷 colonel

🇪🇸 coronel

🇹🇷 albay

🇰🇷 대령 (daeryeong)

🇸🇦 عقيد (aqid)

🇨🇿 plukovník

🇸🇰 plukovník

🇨🇳 上校 (shàngxiào)

🇸🇮 polkovnik

🇮🇸 pólkvík

🇰🇿 подполковник

🇬🇪 პოლკოვნიკი (polkovniki)

🇦🇿 polkovnik

🇲🇽 coronel

Etymology

The term 'colonel' has its roots in the Latin word 'columna,' meaning 'column,' which referred to a column of troops. It evolved through the Italian 'colonnello,' which described the commander of a column of soldiers. This term was adopted into French as 'coronel,' and ultimately into English as 'colonel.' The spelling reflects the transition from Italian to French. Initially, the title was used to designate a military officer in charge of a battalion. Over time, the role and responsibilities associated with the rank have expanded, solidifying its place in military hierarchies across various nations.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,549 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.