What does infantrymen mean?
Infantrymen are soldiers who fight on foot as members of an infantry unit, the branch of a military force responsible for ground combat. The word emphasizes the individual soldiers rather than the infantry as an organization or military branch. It commonly appears in historical, military, and news contexts, especially when describing troops engaged in close combat, defending positions, or moving through difficult terrain. Although “soldiers” is broader, “infantrymen” specifically identifies troops who serve on foot, distinguishing them from cavalrymen and other specialized personnel. The plural form is far more common in ordinary usage, particularly in accounts of battles, deployments, training, and the experiences of ordinary servicemembers.
plural nounInfantrymen are soldiers who fight on foot as members of an infantry unit, especially in an army's ground forces.
- Plural form of infantryman: a soldier who serves in an infantry unit and fights on foot.
"The infantrymen advanced through the forest under cover of darkness."
"The infantrymen regrouped after crossing the river."
"Many of the young infantrymen had never experienced combat before."
Already plural; the singular is “infantryman.”
"Several infantrymen were awarded medals for their bravery."
Infantrymen are the foot soldiers at the heart of an army's ground forces, carrying the front-line fighting that history remembers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does infantrymen come from?
The word ultimately derives from Old French infanterie and Latin infanteria, terms associated with infantry and foot soldiers. The English word “infantry” developed from these forms, and “infantryman” was formed by adding the suffix “-man.” “Infantrymen” is simply the regular plural of that compound, with the historical “-men” ending in the second element.
Related word forms
How infantrymen is actually used
The term is formal and usually refers specifically to soldiers belonging to infantry units. It is the plural of infantryman and should not be used for a single soldier.
Easily confused with infantrymen
Infantry is the branch of an army that fights on foot, whereas infantrymen are the individual soldiers belonging to that branch.
Infantrymen are foot soldiers, while cavalry soldiers fight on horseback.