personnel

[ pur-suh-nel ]
/ ˌpɜr səˈnɛl /

noun

a body of persons employed in an organization or place of work.
(used with a plural verb) persons: All personnel are being given the day off.

Origin of personnel

1825–35; < French, noun use of personnel (adj.) personal < Late Latin persōnāle, neuter of persōnālis; replacing personal (noun), Anglicized form of French personnel; compare German Personal, variant of Personale, Italian personale. See matériel

usage note for personnel

2. Some usage guides object to the use of personnel as a plural. However, this use is well established and standard in all varieties of speech and writing. The use of personnel with a preceding number is largely restricted to business and government communications: Six personnel were transferred.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH personnel

personal personnel (see usage note at the current entry)

Example sentences from the Web for personnel

British Dictionary definitions for personnel

personnel
/ (ˌpɜːsəˈnɛl) /

noun

the people employed in an organization or for a service or undertaking Compare materiel
  1. Also called: human resources the office or department that interviews, appoints, or keeps records of employees
  2. (as modifier)a personnel officer

Word Origin for personnel

C19: from French, ultimately from Late Latin persōnālis personal (adj); see person