service member

noun

variants or less commonly servicemember

ˈsər-vəs-ˌmem-bər 

plural service members also servicemembers

: a person who is a member of the armed forces

Once Federal Judge Martin Barash administered the oath of allegiance and spoke about their new responsibilities and privileges, he singled out each service member by name (the only new citizens offered this recognition), and the crowd responded with standing ovations.

—Smithsonian

For three-quarters of a century, East Helena has proudly honored servicemembers with a monument in the heart of town. And now community leaders are looking for names of area veterans as they rebuild the monument with a new design.

—Tom Kuglin

Examples of service member in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans doesn't quit trying to help service members — even when a veteran gives up on themselves. —Reg Chapman, CBS News, 1 Jan. 2026

Vance’s exercise with the SEALs follows similar efforts by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who frequently posts footage of himself working out with service members on social media. —Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2025

Behind the celebrations are service members, veterans, caregivers and survivors carrying invisible burdens such as grief, trauma, isolation and stress. —Ken Fisher, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025

The vice president helped uniformed service members carry the casket to the plane. —Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for service member

• december
• dismember
• nonmember
• november
• remember
• september
• ember