Definition

Noun: * A specific type of military uniform worn by the United States Army, characterized by its fabric color—a dull, muted shade of olive green or brownish-green.

Usage

This term refers specifically to the official combat and service uniforms of the U.S. Army that used this distinct, subdued color. It is a compound noun used as a singular or plural countable noun. * The soldiers were all issued the standard olive-drab uniform. * During World War II, the olive-drab uniform was ubiquitous. * Museums often display olive-drab uniforms from the mid-20th century.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metonymically to represent the U.S. Army as an institution or its enlisted personnel collectively.
  • He spent thirty years in the olive-drab uniform. (Meaning: he served in the U.S. Army for thirty years).

Variants and Related Words

• Olive Drab (OD): The color itself, often used as a noun or adjective.
  • The vehicle was painted in olive drab.
• Fatigues: A term for the standard combat uniform, which was often olive drab.
• Utility Uniform: A more general term for a standard-issue work or combat uniform.

Synonyms

• Army uniform
• Service uniform (when referring to the specific olive-drab version)
• Field uniform

Antonyms

• Dress uniform
• Civilian clothes
• Camouflage uniform (modern patterns like UCP or OCP)

Notes on Meaning

• This term is strongly associated with the U.S. Army uniforms used from World War I through the Vietnam War era, before the widespread adoption of modern camouflage patterns. It denotes both the specific color and the style of uniform from that historical period.

Noun

1. military uniform of the United States Army; made from cloth of a dull olive color