quartermaster

American  

[kwawr-ter-mas-ter, -mah-ster] / ˈkwɔr tərˌmæs tər, -ˌmɑ stər /

noun

1. Military. an officer charged with providing quarters, clothing, fuel, transportation, etc., for a body of troops.

2. Navy. a petty officer having charge of signals, navigating apparatus, etc.

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quartermaster British  

/ ˈkwɔːtəˌmɑːstə /

noun

1. an officer responsible for accommodation, food, and equipment in a military unit

2. a rating in the navy, usually a petty officer, with particular responsibility for steering a ship and other navigational duties

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Other Word Forms

• quartermasterlike adjective
• quartermastership noun

Etymology

Origin of quartermaster

First recorded in 1400–50, quartermaster is from late Middle English quarter maister. See quarter, master

Example Sentences

In July 1901, an effigy hanging near the entrance of the home bore on its chest a placard reading “1/4 master” — quartermaster, the man in charge of survival basics such as food and water.

From Los Angeles Times

He was one of about 150,000 allied troops who took part in the Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944 - serving as a quartermaster on a minesweeper.

From BBC

Maybe the most mythologized event of Los Angeles’ Civil War happened behind closed doors in the Army quartermaster’s brick home at 3rd and Main streets, perhaps in early to mid-June 1861.

From Los Angeles Times

Conter, a quartermaster, was lauded for helping rescue fellow crew members during the attack, according to the Pacific Historic Parks post.

From Los Angeles Times

Conter was a quartermaster, standing on the main deck of the Arizona as Japanese planes flew overhead at 7:55 a.m. on Dec. 7 that year.

From Seattle Times