Word
cadre
US/ˈkædɹi/
UK/kˈɑːdɐ/
Definitions
01a core group of leaders
n. a small group of specially trained people who lead or manage a larger organization.
n. a core group of trained personnel, especially one that forms the framework of a larger organization or manages its operations.
“The party relied on a small cadre of dedicated activists to organize the local elections.”
“The new CEO brought in a cadre of experienced managers to oversee the restructuring of the failing departments.”
Formal
Usage
Usually a collective noun; can refer to the group as a whole or an individual member within it.
02military framework
n. a group of officers and experienced soldiers who train new members of a military unit.
n. the permanent framework of a military unit, consisting of officers and non-commissioned officers, around which the unit is expanded or formed.
“A small cadre of veteran soldiers remained behind to train the new recruits.”
“The regiment was reduced to a cadre after the war, maintaining only enough officers to allow for rapid expansion if needed.”
Technical · Formal
Usage
Often used in the context of 'cadre strength' or 'cadre training'.
Synonyms
03a framework
n. the basic structure or frame of something.
n. a physical or conceptual framework or skeleton.
“The wooden cadre of the old building was still strong after a hundred years.”
“The architect examined the steel cadre of the skyscraper to ensure it could support the additional weight of the glass panels.”
Literary · Archaic
Teaching tip
In modern English, 'framework' or 'structure' is almost always preferred for physical objects; this sense is rare outside of specific technical or older texts.
Real-World Examples
“Tottenham cannot rely on opponents making mistakes to bail out their cadre of wasteful attackers.” Etymology
Borrowed from French cadre, from Italian quadro (“framed painting, square”), from Latin quadrum, from quattuor (“four”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.