Definition

1. Noun:
   • A senior military officer rank: A colonel is a commissioned officer in many armed forces, typically ranking above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general or brigadier. In the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, it is a senior field-grade officer rank.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • He was promoted to colonel after twenty years of distinguished service.
  • The colonel issued orders to the battalion.
  • She is the first woman in her unit to achieve the rank of colonel.

Advanced Usage

• "Full colonel": Used to distinguish the rank from lieutenant colonel, emphasizing the senior position.

  • After his promotion, he was now a full colonel with greater responsibilities.

• "Bird colonel": (U.S. military slang) Informal term for a colonel, derived from the eagle insignia worn.

  • The young captain aspired to become a bird colonel one day.

Variants and Related Words

• Colonelcy (n): The rank, office, or tenure of a colonel.

  • His colonelcy was marked by significant reforms in training.

• Lieutenant colonel (n): The military rank immediately below colonel.

• Colonel-in-chief (n): A ceremonial head of a regiment, often a member of a royal family.

Synonyms

• Senior officer: A high-ranking military official.
• Commanding officer: Often used when a colonel is in command of a specific unit like a regiment or brigade.

Notes on Meaning and Pronunciation

• The word colonel is pronounced /ˈkɜːr.nəl/, which differs significantly from its spelling. This is due to its historical evolution from the Italian and French .
• It refers specifically to the rank and the person holding that rank. It is not used as a general term for any leader.

Noun

1. a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general