infantry

[ in-fuhn-tree ]

noun

, plural in·fan·tries.

1. soldiers or military units that fight on foot, in modern times typically with rifles, machine guns, grenades, mortars, etc., as weapons.
2. a branch of an army composed of such soldiers.

infantry

/ ˈɪnfəntrɪ /

noun

1. AbbreviationInfinf
   1. soldiers or units of soldiers who fight on foot with small arms
   2. ( as modifier )

      an infantry unit

Other Words From

• non·infan·try noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of infantry¹

1570–80; < Italian infanteria, equivalent to infante boy, foot-soldier ( infant ) + -ria -ry

Word History and Origins

Origin of infantry¹

C16: from Italian infanteria, from infante boy, foot soldier; see infant

Example Sentences

The Princeton and Harvard graduate served as an infantry platoon leader in Guantanamo Bay and Iraq, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

From BBC

“If aid stops or slows, the burden will fall on the shoulders of the infantry,” he explains.

From BBC

It provides "command and leadership training, infantry tactics training, weapons training, and live firing range qualifications" as well as providing "specialist training teams to assist foreign forces in their development".

From BBC

Pyongyang has pursued the old Soviet model in its armed forces but it is unclear how its main force of motorised infantry units might fit into the war in Ukraine.

From BBC

Taking on Israeli infantry and tanks now that south Lebanon has once more been invaded might negate some of Israel’s advantages in air power and intelligence.

From BBC

Related Words

• infantrymen