# quartermaster

/ˈkwɔɹtɝˌmæstɝ/ (US) · /kwˈɔːtəmˌɑːstɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/quartermaster
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. military supply officer

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

an officer in the army who is responsible for providing food, clothes, and a place to sleep for the soldiers.

For teachers: a commissioned officer responsible for providing quarters, rations, clothing, and other equipment for a body of troops.

- The quartermaster made sure every soldier had a warm coat before the winter started.
- The regiment's quartermaster coordinated the complex logistics of transporting fuel and stationery across the border during the autumn maneuvers.

Usage: In modern land forces, the role is often associated with the Quartermaster Corps.

### 2. nautical navigation officer

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a person on a ship who helps with steering and looks after the signals and compass.

For teachers: a petty officer or rating responsible for steering, signals, and the maintenance of navigational equipment under the master's direction.

- The quartermaster stood at the helm, carefully following the captain's orders to change course.
- Under the direction of the master, the quartermaster attended to the binnacle and ensured the signals were clearly visible to the rest of the fleet.

Teaching tip: Note that in a naval context, this role is about navigation and steering, whereas in the army it is about supplies.

### 3. youth group equipment manager

noun · CEFR B2

a person in a group like the Scouts who looks after the tents, stoves, and other camping gear.

For teachers: a leadership position within a youth organization responsible for tracking and maintaining group equipment.

- As the troop quartermaster, he spent the afternoon checking that all the tents were dry and clean.
- The scoutmaster appointed a new quartermaster to oversee the inventory of Dutch ovens and cooking utensils before the summer jamboree.

### 4. to perform supply duties

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

to do the work of a quartermaster by managing supplies or equipment.

For teachers: to perform the duties associated with a quartermaster, particularly in a logistical or navigational capacity.

- He spent three years quartermastering for the local search and rescue team.
- The veteran officer was asked to quartermaster the expedition, ensuring that all technical gear was accounted for during the ascent.

Usage: This verb is ambitransitive and can be used with or without a direct object.

## Examples

- The quartermaster issued new boots to the soldiers.
- After the long voyage, the quartermaster spent the week auditing the remaining food stores and ordering fresh supplies.
- In the traditional naval hierarchy, the quartermaster stood watch on the bridge, ensuring the helmsman maintained the correct course while keeping meticulous records in the ship's log.

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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.