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¹marshal

noun mar·shal \ˈmär-shəl\

: an officer of the highest rank in some military forces

: a federal official who is responsible for doing the things that are ordered by a court of law, finding and capturing criminals, etc.

: the head of a division of a police or fire department

Full Definition of MARSHAL

a : a high official in the household of a medieval king, prince, or noble originally having charge of the cavalry but later usually in command of the military forces

b : a person who arranges and directs the ceremonial aspects of a gathering

a : field marshal

b : a general officer of the highest military rank

a : an officer having charge of prisoners

b (1) : a ministerial officer appointed for a judicial district (as of the United States) to execute the process of the courts and perform various duties similar to those of a sheriff (2) : a city law officer entrusted with particular duties

c : the administrative head of a city police department or fire department

— mar·shal·cy \-sē\ noun

— mar·shal·ship \-ˌship\ noun

See marshal defined for English-language learners

See marshal defined for kids

Variants of MARSHAL

mar·shal also mar·shall \ˈmär-shəl\

Origin of MARSHAL

Middle English, from Anglo-French mareschal, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German marahscalc marshal, from marah horse + scalc servant

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with MARSHAL

martial, Martial, partial

²marshal

verb

: to arrange (a group of people, such as soldiers) in an orderly way

: to move or lead (a group of people) in a careful way

: to arrange or prepare (something, such as your thoughts or ideas) in a clear, effective, or organized way

marshaled or marshalledmarshal·ing or marshal·ling \ˈmärsh-(ə-)liŋ\

Full Definition of MARSHAL

transitive verb

: to place in proper rank or position <marshaling the troops>

: to bring together and order in an appropriate or effective way <marshal arguments>

: to lead ceremoniously or solicitously : usher <marshaling her little group of children down the street>

intransitive verb

: to take form or order <ideas marshaling neatly>

See marshal defined for English-language learners

Variants of MARSHAL

marshal also marshall

First Known Use of MARSHAL

15th century

Related to MARSHAL

Synonyms: mobilize (also marshall), muster, rally

Antonyms: demob [chiefly British], demobilize

Synonym Discussion of MARSHAL

order, arrange, marshal, organize, systematize, methodize mean to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other. order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion <ordered her business affairs>. arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment <arranged the files numerically>. marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use <marshaling the facts for argument>. organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function <organized the volunteers into teams>. systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme <systematized billing procedures>. methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme <methodizes every aspect of daily living>.

MARSHALING Defined for Kids