colonel

Pluralcolonels

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A high-ranking officer in the army, air force, or marines, who often leads a regiment.

   The colonel told the soldiers to get ready to move out.

   Her grandfather retired from the Air Force as a colonel.

   UsageSay it like kernel. Write Colonel before a name.

2. 2
   state honornouncountable

   A title given as an honor by some southern US states, most often Kentucky, to people who are not soldiers.

   My uncle was made a colonel by the state of Kentucky, even though he was never a soldier.

   A paper on the restaurant wall shows the governor made the owner a colonel.

   UsageUse it before a name like a soldier's rank: Colonel Smith.

   Note
3. 3
   greeting old mennoundatedSouthern UScountable

   A casual way of addressing an old man.

   Nobody knew if the old man had ever been a soldier, but everyone called him Colonel.

   Down South, my grandpa greeted every old man he met as Colonel, just to be polite.

   Note

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