yeoman

noun

yeo·​man ˈyō-mən How to pronounce yeoman (audio)
1
a
: an attendant or officer in a royal or noble household
b
: a person attending or assisting another : retainer
d
: a naval petty officer who performs clerical duties
2
a
: a person who owns and cultivates a small farm
specifically : one belonging to a class of English freeholders below the gentry
b
: a person of the social rank of yeoman
3
: one that performs great and loyal service
did a yeoman's job in seeing the program through

Examples of yeoman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Maritime Macabre Shiver your timbers and lend an ear to true and frightening tales about and aboard the USS Constellation at Maritime Macabre, 301 E. Pratt St. Walk the decks guided by lantern light to hear the harrowing tales from the yeoman’s diary from 1862-1865. John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2023 Thomas Jefferson argued that monopolies were incompatible with American self-governance and the ideal of the property-owning yeoman farmer and suggested that they be restricted by the U.S. Constitution. Josh Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 4 Feb. 2021 How toppling tamarisk could help habitats Yuma’s handsomely forested riverfront is another oasis that took a yeoman’s effort — and an irrigation system — to bring back. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 30 June 2023 Reed said his Office of Violence Prevention, though small, is doing yeoman’s work. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 22 June 2023 Cousins' is backdated to June 4. Jason Alexander to make rehab start Right-hander Jason Alexander, who did yeoman's work in making 11 starts for the Brewers last year but hasn't pitched this year with a shoulder issue, was slated to make a start Friday night with the Arizona Complex League team. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 9 June 2023 Soon the house, said to be haunted, inspires him — compels him — to re-create on paper the ancient tragedy in which Hugh Vavasour apparently murdered his despised wife, Susanna, so as to be free to marry a local yeoman’s daughter. Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 1 June 2023 Former Stars forward Bill Guerin is now the Wild general manager, doing yeoman’s work with a nearly $13 million salary cap hit because of costly buyouts. Chuck Carlton, Dallas News, 15 Apr. 2023 Jordan did yeoman’s work trying to contain Joel Embiid on Wednesday night in Philadelphia. Mike Mazzeo, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yeoman.' 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

Middle English yoman, yeman

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of yeoman was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near yeoman

Cite this Entry

“Yeoman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yeoman. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

yeoman

noun
yeo·​man ˈyō-mən How to pronounce yeoman (audio)
1
a
: a servant in a royal or noble household
b
: a naval petty officer who works as a clerk
2
: a small landowning farmer

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