Definition of Personnel by Merriam-Webster

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

1a : a body of persons usually employed (as in a factory or organization)

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web Mission-essential personnel will continue to be granted access onsite.

Fox News, “Coronavirus pandemic causes NASA to move entire agency to Stage 3,” 18 Mar. 2020
Before Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert was diagnosed, forcing the game with Oklahoma City to be postponed, the league on Wednesday contemplated continuing the season by playing games with essential personnel and no fans or suspending play.


Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, “Opinion: Nightmare scenario forced NBA to make tough decision,” 12 Mar. 2020
In lieu of pro-day workouts and prospect visits, some NFL agents are offering their clients up to have virtual meetings with team personnel.


Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, “Detroit Lions pull coaches, scouts off road as coronavirus concerns intensify,” 12 Mar. 2020
Researchers expect the subjects to come to 11 in-person visits and have four phone conversations with trial personnel over a 14-month period.


Peter Loftus, WSJ, “Recruitment Begins for First Test of Experimental Coronavirus Vaccine,” 4 Mar. 2020
His remaining expenses are itemized as operating expenditures which can be anything from personnel, equipment, travel, to renting office spaces.


Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, “How Much Bloomberg & Other Candidates Spent On Their Presidential Campaigns,” 4 Mar. 2020
Harris criticized Mills prior to the inmate deaths in the summer of 2018 for causing dangerous conditions for inmates, poor oversight of the jail and failing to properly staff the jail with medical personnel.


Adam Ferrise, cleveland, “Abused inmates, convicted jail officers round out potential witnesses in trial of ex-Cuyahoga County Jail director charged during rash of inmate deaths,” 3 Mar. 2020
The charges were first made public earlier this month on a Facebook page popular with enlisted Air Force personnel when someone anonymously shared a newsletter from the Alaska base that mentioned the charges.

Anchorage Daily News, “Elmendorf-Richardson airman is demoted for peeing in the office coffee maker,” 1 Mar. 2020
Ethan followed an adult outside of the house then disappeared around 10:20 p.m.
The family contacted police, who immediately started a search with fire personnel, K9 units, drones, aircraft and helicopters from neighboring departments.



Caitlin O’kane, CBS News, “”I’m not a hero”: Postal worker rescues missing toddler found barefoot on side of highway, gives credit to God,” 7 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word ‘personnel.’ Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of personnel

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for personnel

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

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Cite this Entry

“Personnel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personnel. Accessed 31 Mar. 2020.

More Definitions for personnel

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

Kids Definition of personnel

: a group of people employed in a business or an organization

Comments on personnel

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How to Choose the Right Word

Sun Jun 18 , 2023
The words “personal” and “personnel” are related in meaning, but they’re not identical. They also belong to different word classes and they’re pronounced differently. The adjective “personal” (with the stress on the first syllable) means private or individual. The noun “personnel” (stress on the last syllable) refers to the people employed by […]

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