crewman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Technical
Quick answer
What does “crewman” mean?
A male member of the crew of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, performing specific operational or support tasks.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A male member of the crew of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, performing specific operational or support tasks.
Any member of a team operating a vehicle, vessel, or complex machinery, often in a non-officer, non-command role; can extend metaphorically to a member of any organized team.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. 'Crewman' is used in both varieties, but American English, especially in military and space contexts (NASA), may use it slightly more frequently.
Connotations
In British English, it has strong traditional nautical associations. In American English, it may also carry connotations of aviation, space exploration, and teamwork in high-stakes environments.
Frequency
Overall low frequency. Slightly higher frequency in American English due to broader use in aviation/space industries and media.
Grammar
How to Use “crewman” in a Sentence
crewman of [the ship/aircraft]crewman on [the vessel]crewman for [an airline/company]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the specific contexts of shipping, logistics, or airline HR: 'The company is hiring additional crewmen for its new fleet.'
Academic
Mostly found in historical, maritime, or aviation studies texts describing specific roles.
Everyday
Used when discussing news stories about ships, planes, or space missions: 'The crewman reported a technical fault.'
Technical
Common in operational manuals, safety protocols, and job descriptions within maritime, aviation, and military domains.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crewman”
- Using 'crewman' to refer to a woman (use 'crew member' or 'crewwoman').
- Confusing 'crewman' with 'officer' (a crewman is typically subordinate).
- Using it for non-transportation contexts (e.g., 'film crewman' is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the term specifically denotes a male member. For mixed or female groups, 'crew member', 'crewperson', or 'crewwoman' are preferred in modern usage.
An 'officer' holds a command or supervisory rank (e.g., ship's captain, first officer). A 'crewman' is typically a non-commissioned member who carries out operational tasks under the officers' direction.
Yes, it is used, especially for flight engineers or specific operational roles, though 'flight attendant' or 'cabin crew' are more common for passenger service roles. In military aviation, 'crewman' is standard.
The standard plural is 'crewmen'. For gender-neutral plural, use 'crew members'.
A male member of the crew of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, performing specific operational or support tasks.
Crewman is usually neutral to technical in register.
Crewman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkruːmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkruːmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All hands on deck (related concept)”
- “A good crewman follows orders”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CREW of MEN working together on a ship. 'Crew' + 'man' = a man in the crew.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE VEHICLE/ORGANIZATION IS A BODY, THE CREWMAN IS A LIMB (performing a specific function).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the term 'crewman' LEAST appropriate?