# marshall

/ˈmɑɹʃəɫ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/marshall
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. event official

noun · CEFR B2

a person who helps organize a public event, like a race or a parade, to keep people safe.

For teachers: an official responsible for supervising a public event, ensuring order, and directing participants or spectators.

- The race marshall stood at the corner to show the runners which way to turn.
- The event marshall coordinated with local police to ensure that the parade route remained clear of unauthorized vehicles and pedestrians.

### 2. law enforcement officer

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a type of police officer, especially in the United States, who carries out court orders.

For teachers: a federal or local law enforcement officer in the United States responsible for executing warrants and transporting prisoners.

- The federal marshall arrived at the courthouse to escort the prisoner to his cell.
- The deputy marshall was tasked with serving the subpoena to the witness who had been avoiding the legal proceedings.

### 3. to organize or gather

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to gather together and organize people, ideas, or things for a specific purpose.

For teachers: to assemble and arrange a group of people, facts, or resources in an organized way for a particular task.

- She had to marshall all her energy to finish the long project on time.
- The defense attorney spent weeks trying to marshall enough evidence to prove his client's innocence before the trial began.

### 4. military rank

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a very high-ranking officer in the army or air force.

For teachers: a military officer of the highest rank, such as a Field Marshal or Air Marshal.

- The marshall led the troops during the final battle of the war.
- Promoted to the rank of marshall, the general was now responsible for the strategic oversight of the entire eastern front.

## Examples

- The fire marshall checked the building for safety.
- During the parade, a volunteer marshall directed the crowd to stay behind the barriers for safety.
- The federal marshall was tasked with transporting the high-profile witness to the courthouse under heavy security to ensure the trial proceeded without interference.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.