personnel

Everyday

1. The people who work for an organisation, such as an army, a hospital or a company; staff. tree →
2. (formal, old) The department that deals with hiring and looking after workers, now usually called Human Resources (HR). tree →

In the lessons

In news, safety and formal notices: «Authorised personnel only» on a door means only staff may go in — a safety sign children should obey. In stories about hospitals, ships or armies: «medical personnel», «military personnel». In maths a problem may give the number of personnel on a ship or in a hospital to divide into shifts. Phrases: «authorised personnel only», «military personnel», «medical personnel», «key personnel».

Examples

• Authorised personnel only — do not enter. tree →
• Medical personnel rushed to help the injured man. tree →
• The ship carried 300 personnel. tree →
• All school personnel must wear a badge. tree →
• Emergency personnel closed the road. tree →
• The base has 120 personnel working in 4 equal shifts. tree →
• Military personnel helped after the flood. tree →
• Ask the personnel office about the job. tree →

Note

Spelling and pronunciation trap: personnel (staff, two «n», stress at the end: per-so-NEL) vs personal (private, about a person, stress at the start: PER-so-nal). Takes a plural verb: «personnel are». Not «a personnel»; say «a member of personnel» or «a staff member».