Definition of 'marshal'

Word Frequency

marshal

(mɑrʃəl )

Word forms: marshals, marshaling, marshalling, marshaled, marshalled

1. transitive verb

If you marshal people or things, you gather them together and arrange them for a particular purpose.

The company turned its attention to marshaling its creditors' approval.

Synonyms: conduct, take, lead, guide More Synonyms of marshal

2. countable noun

A marshal is an official who helps to supervise a public event, especially a sports event.

The grand prix is controlled by well-trained marshals.

3. countable noun

In the United States and some other countries, a marshal is a police officer, often one who is responsible for a particular area.

A federal marshal was killed in a shoot-out.

4. countable noun

A marshal is an officer in a fire department.

[US]

She was ordered out of her home by a fire marshal because the house next door had an explosion from a leaking gas main.

More Synonyms of marshal

Video: pronunciation of
marshal

marshal in American English

(ˈmɑrʃəl )

noun

a groom or, later, a master of the horse in a medieval royal household

a high official of a royal household or court, as in medieval times, in charge of military affairs, ceremonies, etc.

a military commander

; specif.,

field marshal

in various foreign armies, a general officer of the highest rank

an officer of the highest rank in the British Royal Air Force

an official in charge of ceremonies, processions, rank and order, etc. who arranges the order of march

5. US

an officer of various kinds in the U.S.

; specif.,

a federal officer appointed to a judicial district to carry out orders and perform functions like those of a sheriff

a minor officer of the law in some cities

the head, or a high-ranking officer, of a police or fire department in some cities

verb transitiveWord forms: ˈmarshaled or ˈmarshalled, ˈmarshaling or ˈmarshalling

to arrange (troops, things, ideas, etc.) in order; array; dispose

to marshal forces for battle

to direct as a marshal; manage

to lead or guide ceremoniously

Derived forms

marshalcy (ˈmarshalcy)

noun or ˈmarshalˌship

Word origin

ME marescal < OFr mareschal < Frank *marhskalk or OHG marahscalh, lit., horse servant (> ML marescalcus) < marah, horse (akin to OE mearh, horse: see mare1) + scalh, servant < IE base *sel-, to spring

Word Frequency

marshal in British English

(ˈmɑːʃəl )

noun

(in some armies and air forces) an officer of the highest rank

(in England) an officer, usually a junior barrister, who accompanies a judge on circuit and performs miscellaneous secretarial duties

3. (in the US)

a Federal court officer assigned to a judicial district whose functions are similar to those of a sheriff

(in some states) the chief police or fire officer

an officer who organizes or conducts ceremonies, parades, etc

5. Also called: knight marshal

(formerly in England) an officer of the royal family or court, esp one in charge of protocol

6. an obsolete word for ostler

verbWord forms: -shals, -shalling, -shalledWord forms: US -shals, -shaling or -shaled (transitive)

to arrange in order

to marshal the facts

to assemble and organize ( troops, vehicles, etc) prior to onward movement

to arrange ( assets, mortgages, etc) in order of priority

10.

to guide or lead, esp in a ceremonious way

11.

to combine (two or more coats of arms) on one shield

Derived forms

marshalcy (ˈmarshalcy) or marshalship (ˈmarshalˌship)

noun

marshaller (ˈmarshaller) or US marshaler (ˈmarshaler)

noun

Word origin

C13: from Old French mareschal; related to Old High German marahscalc groom, from marah horse + scalc servant

Examples of 'marshal' in a sentence
marshal

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We were expertly marshalled away from the fighting with a minimum of inconvenience.Others suggest that the name was conferred upon it by police weary of marshalling the crowds and traffic.The " air marshals "didn't mind.It was marshalled by 50,000 police drafted into the city.He played for the first 47 minutes and marshalled his team expertly.He specialised in criminal and family law and was appointed a judge 's marshal.You'd have to surrender your phones at the door or be punched unconscious by an air marshal.A fire marshal appeared at our door.Was well marshalled in midfield and struggled to make the impact he would have wanted, despite the excuse of recent illness.A Federal marshal pursued the ship by tug.