1
a
: one engaged in military service and especially in the army
b
: an enlisted man or woman
c
: a skilled warrior
2
: a militant leader, follower, or worker
3
a
: one of a caste of wingless sterile termites usually differing from workers in larger size and head and long jaws
b
: one of a type of worker ants distinguished by exceptionally large head and jaws
4
ˈsō-jər 
ˈsōl-
: one who shirks work
soldiered; soldiering
ˈsōl-jə-riŋ
ˈsōlj-riŋ
1
a
: to serve as a soldier
b
: to behave in a soldierly manner
c
: to push doggedly forward
—usually used with on
soldiered on to the end
2
: to make a pretense of working while really loafing
Synonyms
Examples of soldier in a Sentence
Noun
Many soldiers were wounded in combat.
one of the goals of war is to keep as many soldiers as possible from being killed
Recent Examples on the Web
Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
That keeps casualties low, even in a land war, which is usually very deadly for soldiers and civilians.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2024
Where some wilted in the face of so much public scrutiny, however, Taylor soldiered bravely on.
—Rob Ledonne, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for soldier 
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Noun
The memorial pays tribute to the 19 special ops soldiers and Navy SEALS killed during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan in 2005, including Cupertino residents Matt Axelson and James Suh.
—Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
That keeps casualties low, even in a land war, which is usually very deadly for soldiers and civilians.
—Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
The festival initially planned on soldiering through the weather Friday, as the lots were opened in anticipation of the fest that afternoon.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2024
Where some wilted in the face of so much public scrutiny, however, Taylor soldiered bravely on.
—Rob Ledonne, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for soldier
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Dictionary Entries Near soldier
Cite this Entry
“Soldier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soldier. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
soldier
1 of 2 noun
sol·dier
ˈsōl-jər
1
a
: a person in military service and especially in the army
b
: an enlisted person
2
: a worker in something strongly believed in
3
: a termite or ant with a large head and jaws that is a member of a caste that protects the colony
soldierly
adjective
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