What does "marshal" mean?
A high-ranking officer in the household of a medieval prince or lord, who was originally in charge of the cavalry and later the military forces in general.
Marshal
/ˈmɑː(ɹ)ʃəl/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A high-ranking officer in the household of a medieval prince or lord, who was originally in charge of the cavalry and later the military forces in general.
- Grammar: marshal is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: serialize, abbot of unreason, accouple, accumulate.
- Useful contrasts: civilian, disperse, follower.
- Usage evidence: I will marshal a fair amount of scientific data to support my argument.
How to use "marshal"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "marshal" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "marshal" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "marshal" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "marshal" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "marshal" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "serialize" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "marshal", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A high-ranking officer in the household of a medieval prince or lord, who was originally in charge of the cavalry and later the military forces in general. historical
- 2 a law officer having duties similar to those of a sheriff in carrying out the judgments of a court of law wordnet
- 3 A military officer of the highest rank in several countries, including France and the former Soviet Union; equivalent to a general of the army in the United States. See also field marshal.
"Where stands Marshal Chiang Kai-shek in this conflict of opinion concerning the tactics which China should adopt towards the aggressor? Chiang Kai-shek, according to officials who know his mind with whom I have talked, is all for resistance- as soon as he thinks he can win!"
- 4 (in some countries) a military officer of highest rank wordnet
- 5 A person in charge of the ceremonial arrangement and management of a gathering.
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 A federal lawman. US
- 7 An official responsible for signalling track conditions to drivers (through use of flags), extinguishing fires, removing damaged cars from the track, and sometimes providing emergency first aid.
Verb
- 1 To arrange (troops, etc.) in line for inspection or a parade.
"Nothing could be more business-like than the construction of the stout dams, and nothing more gently rural than the limpid lakes, with the grand old forest trees marshalled round their margins like a veteran army that had marched down to drink, only to be stricken motionless at the water’s edge."
- 2 make ready for action or use wordnet
- 3 To arrange (facts, etc.) in some methodical order. broadly
"Within a blue garter inscribed "Great Northern Railway Ireland" is a shield, on which are marshalled the arms of the principal towns in the company's area. The shield is divided quarterly with the arms of Dublin in the first quarter, Londonderry in the second quarter, Enniskillen in the third, and Belfast in the fourth; and overall is a gold inescutcheon (a small shield placed in the centre of the large shield) charged with the red left hand of Ulster."
- 4 arrange in logical order wordnet
- 5 To ceremoniously guide, conduct or usher.
"Our conquering ſwords ſhal marſhal vs the way UUe vſe to martch vpon the ſlaughtered foe: Trampling their bowels with our horſes hoofes: […]"
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 place in proper rank wordnet
- 7 To gather data for transmission.
- 8 lead ceremoniously, as in a procession wordnet
- 9 To serialize an object into a marshalled state represented by a sequence of bytes that can later be converted back into an object with equivalent properties. transitive
Proper Noun
- 1 An English and Scottish status surname from Middle English for someone who was in charge of the horses of a royal household, or an occupational surname for someone who looked after horses, or was responsible for the custody of prisoners.
- 2 A male given name transferred from the surname, of 19th century and later usage.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"I will marshal a fair amount of scientific data to support my argument."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "marshal"?
Common synonyms include: serialize, abbot of unreason, accouple, accumulate, adc, adduce.
How do you use "marshal" in a sentence?
I will marshal a fair amount of scientific data to support my argument.
How do you pronounce "marshal"?
Pronounced /ˈmɑː(ɹ)ʃəl/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From marshal.
Etymology 2
From Middle English marschal, from Anglo-Norman mareschal (“farrier; military commander”), from Medieval Latin mariscalcus (“groom, army commander, court dignitary”), either from Frankish *marhaskalk, or Old High German marah-scalc (“horse-servant”), from Proto-West Germanic *marh + *skalk (whence Old Saxon maraskalk, marahscalc). Compare English mare + shalk.