Definition

Noun: A specially trained law enforcement or security officer who travels incognito as a regular passenger on commercial airline flights to prevent and respond to criminal acts, particularly hijackings and terrorism.

Usage

The term "air marshal" refers specifically to the individual officer. It is a countable noun. - The presence of an air marshal on the flight is a security precaution. - For safety reasons, the identities of air marshals are kept secret.

Examples

• The airline and authorities never disclose which flights have an air marshal onboard.
• An air marshal successfully subdued a disruptive passenger.
• He applied for a job as an air marshal after serving in the military.

Advanced Usage

• "to be deputized as an air marshal": To be officially authorized or sworn in to act as an air marshal, often for a specific flight or mission.
  • For the high-profile diplomatic flight, two agents were deputized as air marshals.

Variants and Related Words

• Sky marshal: An informal synonym for "air marshal," used primarily in media and public discourse.
  • News reports referred to the officer as a sky marshal.
• Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS): The specific U.S. government agency responsible for deploying air marshals.
  • She works for the Federal Air Marshal Service.

Synonyms

• In-flight security officer: A more formal or descriptive term.
• Flight marshal: A less common variant.

Related Phrases

• "to fly undercover as an air marshal": Describes the covert nature of the air marshal's duty.
  • He often flies undercover as an air marshal on international routes.
• "air marshal program": Refers to the overall government initiative or system.
  • The air marshal program was expanded after the terrorist attacks.

Noun

1. a person trained by the government in hijacking and terrorist tactics who (for security reasons) is a passenger aboard an airline flight