# soldier

/ˈsoʊɫdʒɝ/ (US) · /sˈəʊldʒɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/soldier
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. military member

noun · CEFR A2

a person who serves in an army, especially someone who is not an officer.

For teachers: a member of a ground-based military force, typically referring to enlisted personnel rather than commissioned officers.

- The young soldier wrote letters home to his family every week during his training.
- After years of service, the veteran soldier found it difficult to adjust to the quiet routines of civilian life in a small town.

### 2. strip of toast

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a thin strip of toast used for dipping into a soft-boiled egg.

For teachers: a narrow strip of buttered toast or bread intended for dipping into the yolk of a soft-boiled egg.

- The child dipped a buttery toast soldier into the runny yellow egg.
- A traditional British breakfast often includes soft-boiled eggs served in ceramic cups with a side of crisp toast soldiers.

### 3. organized crime

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a low-ranking member of a criminal group like the mafia.

For teachers: a low-level member of a criminal organization, specifically the American Mafia, who operates under the command of a caporegime.

- The police arrested several soldiers who were working for the local crime family.
- In the hierarchy of the syndicate, a soldier must prove his loyalty through years of service before being considered for promotion.

### 4. termite caste

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of ant or termite with a large head that protects the nest.

For teachers: a specialized caste of social insects, such as termites or ants, anatomically modified for the defense of the colony.

- The soldier termites used their large jaws to block the entrance to the nest.
- The colony's survival depends on the soldier caste's ability to repel predatory ants during a breach of the mound.

### 5. to keep going

verb · CEFR B2

to continue working or trying hard even when things are difficult.

For teachers: to persist or persevere in a task or situation despite hardship or lack of motivation; often used with 'on'.

- Even though she was exhausted, she decided to soldier on until the project was finished.
- Despite the dwindling budget and lack of public support, the research team chose to soldier on with their experiments.

Usage: Often used as the phrasal verb 'soldier on'.

## Examples

- The soldier returned home after a long year away.
- Every soldier in the unit received specialized training in first aid and radio communication before the mission began.
- While the general planned the grand strategy from a distance, the individual soldier on the ground faced the immediate, grueling reality of the terrain and the weather.

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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.