Definition of personnel

The word "personnel" originated in the late 19th century as a term to describe the staff or employees of an organization. The French word "personnel" meant "individuals" or "people," and it was imported into the English language during this time. In French, the term "personnel" was commonly used in military contexts to refer to soldiers and officers who were not part of a particular unit or regiment. The word was adopted by business and industry in the early 20th century, as companies began to realize the importance of managing their employees as a resource. In English, the spelling and pronunciation of "personnel" reflects its French origin. The word is commonly used in plural form, as in "the company has a personnel department," and it is pronounced "pur-SON-nel." Today, the term "personnel" is widely used in a variety of contexts, from human resources and staffing to military and government applications. Its use reflects the role that employees and staff play in achieving organizational goals and success, as well as the importance of managing and developing these individuals as part of a larger resource strategy.