[ pur-suh–nel ]
/ ˌpɜr səˈnɛl /
noun
a body of persons employed in an organization or place of work.
(used with a plural verb) persons: All personnel are being given the day off.
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Origin of personnel
usage note for personnel
2. Some usage guides object to the use of personnel as a plural. However, this use is well established and standard in all varieties of speech and writing. The use of personnel with a preceding number is largely restricted to business and government communications: Six personnel were transferred.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH personnel
personal personnel (see usage note at the current entry)
Words nearby personnel
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for personnel
British Dictionary definitions for personnel
personnel
noun
- Also called: human resources the office or department that interviews, appoints, or keeps records of employees
- (as modifier)a personnel officer
Word Origin for personnel
C19: from French, ultimately from Late Latin persōnālis personal (adj); see person
Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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