What does serviceman mean?
A serviceman is a member of the military or armed forces, especially a man serving in an armed service. The word has a long history in English military and naval contexts and remains common in journalism, official documents, commemorations, and historical writing. Its traditional form can suggest a male service member, so “service member” is often used today when gender neutrality is intended. The standard plural is “servicemen,” formed by changing “man” to “men.” The word can be used for personnel in the army, navy, air force, or other organized armed service, although more specific terms such as “soldier,” “sailor,” and “airman” may be preferred when the branch or role is relevant.
nounA member of the armed forces, especially a man serving in the military. In modern usage, “service member” is often preferred when referring to people of any gender.
- A person who serves in the military or armed forces, especially a male soldier.
"The serviceman was awarded for his service in the peacekeeping mission."
"Each serviceman received training before the joint exercise."
"The museum preserves photographs of local servicemen and their families."
The standard plural is “servicemen,” not “servicemans” or “servicemen's” in ordinary noun usage.
"The ceremony honored servicemen from several generations."
Although “serviceman” can refer to any military member, its increasingly familiar alternative, “service member,” makes gender neutrality explicit.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does serviceman come from?
“Serviceman” is a compound formed in the 19th century from “service” and “man.” “Service” in this sense derives from Middle English servise, from Old French servise, ultimately related to Latin servitium, a condition or state of serving, and to Latin servire, meaning to serve or be a servant. The second element “man” is native Germanic and follows the ordinary English pattern in which compounds referring to people commonly end in “man,” such as “businessman” and “policeman.”
How serviceman is actually used
The term is still common in formal and historical contexts, but “service member” is often preferred in contemporary official and inclusive language because it does not mark gender. The plural is “servicemen.”