fusilier

noun

fu·​sil·​ier ˌfyü-zə-ˈlir How to pronounce fusilier (audio)
variants or fusileer
1
: a soldier armed with a fusil
2
: a member of a British regiment formerly armed with fusils

Examples of fusilier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hawksbill turtles, manta rays and schools of colorful fish like the fusilier. Johanna Read, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2022 Each dive serves up new wonders: a manta swooping overhead, a solitary dolphin rolling around playfully on a reef, giant schools of snapper and fusiliers whirling around us like tornadoes, venomous sea kraits wafting through sunlit water. National Geographic, 14 Nov. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fusilier.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French fusilier, going back to Middle French, from fusil fusil entry 2 + -ier -ier

First Known Use

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fusilier was in 1680

Dictionary Entries Near fusilier

Cite this Entry

“Fusilier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fusilier. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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