cadet

noun, often attributive ca·det \ kə-ˈdet \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of cadet

1 a : a younger brother or son

b : youngest son

c : a younger branch of a family or a member of it

2 a : one in training for a military or naval commission; especially : a student in a service academy

b : a student at a police academy : a person who is in training to become a police officer

During his swearing-in speech last August, the 54-year-old head cop pointed out that he still wears the same size uniform that he wore when he was a cadet at the Police Academy 34 years ago.
—Bernard C. Parks

3 : a student at a police academy : a person who is in training to become a police officer

Police departments typically require cadets to pass a fitness test at the police academy, but not many require officers to stay in shape after that.
—Christopher Swope

4 slang : pimp

—

cadetship

play \-ˌship\ noun

See cadet defined for English-language learners

See cadet defined for kids

Recent Examples of cadet from the Web

After an online practice test, the six cadets with the highest scores were selected to the team.

— staff report, Daily Southtown, "Community news: Lincoln-Way cadets take 3rd at national academic bowl," 12 July 2018
Previously, the brooch was given to the top female air force cadet, but that year, it was decided that women should be awarded the same way men are: with a sword.

— megan friedman, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Kate Middleton Broke Maternity Leave to Attend the Royal Air Force Anniversary," 10 July 2018
In 1959, six years after the armistice that halted the war, his father, Fred Trump, enrolled Donald as a cadet in the New York Military Academy.

— mark landler, The Seattle Times, "Trump intrigued with solving threat from North Korea," 11 June 2018
Born and raised in Louisville, Ky., Miller joined the Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet after high school and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, earning a Silver Star, his family said.

— bob goldsborough, chicagotribune.com, "Bernard J. Miller Jr., sales and promotions executive, dies at 92," 9 May 2018
But advocates, including Boston Society of Vulcans, which pushes diversity in the fire services, said the department has resisted establishing a cadet program similar to the police department’s, that offers another pathway on the force.

— meghan e. irons, BostonGlobe.com, "The city’s six female councilors are demanding action for women on the city’s firefighting force," 29 June 2018
In 1959, six years after the armistice that halted the war, his father, Fred Trump, enrolled Donald as a cadet in the New York Military Academy.

— mark landler, The Seattle Times, "Trump intrigued with solving threat from North Korea," 11 June 2018
In 1959, six years after the armistice that halted the war, his father, Fred Trump, enrolled Donald as a cadet in the New York Military Academy.

— mark landler, New York Times, "Meeting With Kim Tests Trump’s Dealmaking Swagger," 9 June 2018
This spring Perry, who grew up in Wichita, landed a position as a cadet in Republic Airline's Aviation Career Pipeline Interview Program, and expects to work for the airline right after graduation.

— mará rose williams, kansascity, "Airlines are clamoring to hire K-State graduates and reverse pilot shortage," 8 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cadet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.