a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
"The new colonel inspected the troops, standing just below the rank of brigadier general but well above every lieutenant colonel present."
A commissioned officer in an armed military organization, typically the highest rank before flag officer ranks (generals). It is generally found in armies, air forces or naval infantry (marines).
"The general addressed Colonel Smith before they marched into battle."
The military officer title.
In plain English: A colonel is an officer who leads a large group of soldiers, usually called a regiment.
"The colonel gave his final orders before marching the troops out of town."
Usage: The word colonel refers to a high-ranking military officer and is pronounced "kernel" despite its spelling resembling words for vertical punctuation marks. Use this noun when addressing an individual of that specific rank, noting that it does not function as a verb in standard modern usage even though historical definitions allow the action sense.
To act as or like a colonel.
"The new drill instructor was told to stop and not to act as if he were already a colonel."
In plain English: To colonize is to move into and take control of a new land, usually by force.
"The colonels ordered their troops to advance immediately."
The word colonel entered English in the 1540s via Middle French and Old Italian to describe an officer who led a column of soldiers. Its ultimate origin lies in the Latin columna, meaning "pillar," which reflects the idea of standing tall or rising above others.