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DictionarycolonelMilitary officer
noun

colonel

KUR-nuhl/ˈkɜːrnl/

A military officer ranking above lieutenant colonel and below brigadier or brigadier general.

The colonel inspects the regiment before the morning exercise begins.

In a military formation, a senior officer stands before a regiment giving orders while a higher-ranking general observes from behind, showing the colonel commanding below the general.
Etymology
colonLatinpillar
+elItalianlittle

The “pillar” image became a column of soldiers. The title arose from the commander of the “little column company” at the head of a regiment.

In context

Big Think2:29
I don't care if you're a military colonel, pilot, Air Force.
Neil deGrasse Tyson: Want to prove aliens exist? Do this
TIKhistory30:14
up well, I personally directed Colonel Lindquist, commanding the 508th Parachute Infantry, to
"Arnhem" by Antony Beevor Book Review

More examples

  • She served as a colonel for several years.
  • Two colonels attended the planning session.
  • The colonel issued new orders to the unit.

Forms

colonel · colonels