marshal

[ mahr-shuhl ]

noun

1. a military officer of the highest rank, as in the French and some other armies. Compare field marshal.
2. an administrative officer of a U.S. judicial district who performs duties similar to those of a sheriff.
3. a court officer serving processes, attending court, giving personal service to the judges, etc.
4. the chief of a police or fire department in some cities.
5. a police officer in some communities.
6. sky marshal.
7. a higher officer of a royal household or court.
8. an official charged with the arrangement or regulation of ceremonies, parades, etc.:

   the marshal of the St. Patrick's Day parade.

verb (used with object)

, mar·shaled, mar·shal·ing or (especially British) mar·shalled, mar·shal·ling.

1. to arrange in proper order; set out in an orderly manner; arrange clearly:

   to marshal facts; to marshal one's arguments.

   Synonyms: convoke, dispose, order

   Antonyms: scatter

2. to array, as for battle.
3. to usher or lead ceremoniously:

   Their host marshaled them into the room.

4. Heraldry. to combine (two or more coats of arms) on a single escutcheon.

marshal

/ ˈmɑːʃəl /

noun

1. (in some armies and air forces) an officer of the highest rank
2. (in England) an officer, usually a junior barrister, who accompanies a judge on circuit and performs miscellaneous secretarial duties
3. in the US
   1. a Federal court officer assigned to a judicial district whose functions are similar to those of a sheriff
   2. (in some states) the chief police or fire officer
4. an officer who organizes or conducts ceremonies, parades, etc
5. Also calledknight marshal (formerly in England) an officer of the royal family or court, esp one in charge of protocol
6. an obsolete word for ostler

verb

1. to arrange in order

   to marshal the facts

2. to assemble and organize (troops, vehicles, etc) prior to onward movement
3. to arrange (assets, mortgages, etc) in order of priority
4. to guide or lead, esp in a ceremonious way
5. to combine (two or more coats of arms) on one shield

Derived Forms

• ˈmarshalcy, noun
• ˈmarshaller, noun

Other Words From

• marshal·cy marshal·ship noun
• marshal·er especially British, marshal·ler noun
• re·marshal verb (used with object) remarshaled remarshaling or (especially British) remarshalled remarshalling
• sub·marshal noun
• under·marshal noun
• un·marshaled adjective
• un·marshalled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of marshal¹

1225–75; Middle English marshal, syncopated variant of mareschal < Old French < Germanic; compare Old High German marahscalh groom, equivalent to marah horse ( mare ¹ ) + scalh servant, cognate with Old English scealc

Word History and Origins

Origin of marshal¹

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

Synonym Study

See gather.

Example Sentences

The actor has been announced as the 92nd Hollywood Christmas Parade grand marshal, organizers said Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

The proposed amendment was also vociferously opposed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who marshalled state resources to persuade voters to vote “no”.

From BBC

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has also marshalled the powers of his state government to beat back the measure.

From BBC

The encampment grew to more than 150 people with tents surrounded by wooden pellets, with the university fire marshal warning that the use of wood was not advised, the House committee report said.

From Los Angeles Times

Remember the 1975 film starring John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn called “Rooster Cogburn,” a one-eyed marshal hoping to chase down some bad guys?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assemble
• mobilize