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

Trump flew to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for the transfer of six service members killed in the war. —Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026

There, the service members are prepared for their final resting place. —Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026

At least six American service members are dead and others wounded in a conflict that Americans never debated. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026

An additional 18 service members were wounded in the strike. —Isabella Murray, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for service member

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