Definition of 'cadet'

Word Frequency

cadet

(kədet )

Word forms: plural cadets

countable noun

A cadet is a young man or woman who is being trained in the armed services or the police.

...army cadets.

...the Cadet Corps.

Word Frequency

cadet in British

(kəˈdɛt )

noun

a young person undergoing preliminary training, usually before full entry to the uniformed services, police, etc, esp for officer status

a school pupil receiving elementary military training in a school corps

(in England and in France before 1789) a gentleman, usually a younger son, who entered the army to prepare for a commission

a younger son or brother

5. cadet branch

(in New Zealand) a person learning sheep farming on a sheep station

Derived forms

cadetship (caˈdetship)

noun

Word origin of 'cadet'

C17: from French, from dialect (Gascon) capdet captain, ultimately from Latin caput head

Word Frequency

cadet in American

(kəˈdɛt ; kədetˈ)

noun

1. Rare

a younger son or brother

2. Obsolete

a younger son who became a gentleman volunteer in the army to offset his lack of patrimony

a student in training at an armed forces academy

a student at a military school

5. US

any trainee, as a practice teacher or a junior business associate

6. US, Slang, Obsolete

a pimp

Derived forms

cadetship (caˈdetship)

noun

Word origin of 'cadet'

Fr, younger son < Gascon capdet, captain, chief < Prov capdel < LL capitellum, dim. of L caput, head

Example sentences containing 'cadet'

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We have a combined cadet force corps. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Forcing the army to set up more cadet corps in comprehensive schools. Times, Sunday Times (2009)He rowed and was in the army cadet force. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Being punched in the face by a military training officer or senior cadet was routine. Times, Sunday Times (2016)He did not finish school but instead became a teenaged police cadet. Times, Sunday Times (2008)At school it had been a requirement that you join the army cadet force for a year. Oliver Poole BLACK KNIGHTS: On the Bloody Road to Baghdad (2003)The world would be holding its breath to see whether the young cadet made it safely or not. Sidney Sheldon The Other Side of MeThe following week they were going to move him to a cadet school where he could work for a salary. Carlos Acosta No Way Home: A Cuban Dancer's Tale (2007)It wasn't intended as a f***ing jolly drinking song for the cadet corps. Times, Sunday Times (2009) Police cadets played the part of 1,200 injured footie fans. The Sun (2016)That's why the plan to bring back the cadet corps into schools is a good one. The Sun (2008)Cadet forces and university reserves will also be protected, according to officials. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Cadet training teaches obedience, endurance and builds self-confidence. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Patients need to learn the maxim that used to be drilled into soldier cadets at officer training schools: think of the worst and prepare for it. Times, Sunday Times (2007)An honorary colonel, he often accompanied cadets on training camps, and was chairman of their military education committee. Times, Sunday Times (2009)To his surprise, his father then decided that he would benefit from two years as an officer cadet at Sandhurst. Times, Sunday Times (2012)