marine corps
MediumFormal, Official, Military
Definition
Meaning
A specialized military service branch, often within a nation's navy, trained for amphibious and expeditionary warfare. It is typically a distinct, elite force with its own traditions.
May refer broadly to any similar elite military formation. In non-military contexts, can metaphorically denote a highly disciplined, cohesive group facing tough challenges.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always treated as a singular proper noun despite 'corps' being plural in form (e.g., 'The Marine Corps is...'). The word 'Marine' is capitalized when referring to a specific national corps. 'Corps' is pronounced as 'core'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'Royal Marines' is the specific, historic corps. 'Marine Corps' is understood but strongly associated with the United States Marine Corps (USMC). In American English, 'Marine Corps' overwhelmingly refers to the USMC.
Connotations
UK: 'Royal Marines' connotes commando forces, special operations, and naval tradition. US: 'Marine Corps' connotes a large, separate service with immense cultural prestige, esprit de corps, and a central role in national identity.
Frequency
Far more frequent in American English due to the prominence of the USMC in media and culture.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Person] served in the Marine Corps.The Marine Corps [verb: deploys, trains, operates].He is a [adjective: retired, former, active-duty] Marine Corps [noun: officer, veteran, pilot].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Once a Marine, always a Marine."”
- “"The Few, the Proud." (USMC slogan)”
- “"Per Mare, Per Terram" (Royal Marines motto: By Sea, By Land)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly used metaphorically for a tough, disciplined sales team: 'Our sales division is like a marine corps.'
Academic
Used in historical, political science, or military studies contexts discussing military structure, doctrine, or history.
Everyday
Used in news, films, and personal stories about military service. Often prefaced by 'the' or a national identifier.
Technical
Used in military and defense documents to specify branch, capabilities, and command structure.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was Royal Marines-trained.
American English
- She hopes to Marine Corps-officer her way to the top. (informal, novel)
adjective
British English
- He has a Royal Marines background.
- a Marine Corps-style operation
American English
- She is a Marine Corps veteran.
- Marine Corps discipline is legendary.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The Marine Corps is part of the military.
- He is in the Marine Corps.
- My brother wants to join the United States Marine Corps.
- The Marine Corps has bases in many countries.
- After rigorous training, she was commissioned as an officer in the Marine Corps.
- The doctrine of the Marine Corps emphasises rapid deployment.
- The geopolitical strategy relied heavily on the expeditionary capabilities of the Marine Corps.
- His identity was profoundly shaped by his decades of service in the Corps.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MARINE CORPS as the CORE (sounds like 'corps') group that operates from the SEA (marine).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MARINE CORPS IS A BROTHERHOOD / A FAMILY. (Emphasizes unbreakable bonds and lifelong identity.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'corps' as 'корпус' in the sense of a building or large unit of soldiers. The direct equivalent is 'морская пехота'.
- Do not use 'корпус моряков' – it is incorrect. 'Морская пехота' is a fixed term.
- Note the silent 'ps' in 'corps' – it is not pronounced like the English word 'corpse'.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing 'corps' as 'corpse' /kɔːrps/.
- Using plural verb agreement: 'The Marine Corps are...' (Incorrect; use 'is').
- Writing 'Marine Corp' (missing the 's').
- Using lowercase 'marine' when it's part of the official title.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct pronunciation of 'corps' in 'Marine Corps'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically singular. Correct: 'The Marine Corps is an elite force.' Incorrect: 'The Marine Corps are...'
A 'Marine' is a member of a Marine Corps, a naval infantry force often focused on amphibious warfare. A 'soldier' typically refers to a member of a nation's army. They belong to different service branches with distinct missions and cultures.
It comes from the French word 'corps' meaning 'body'. The 'ps' is silent in French, and this pronunciation was retained in English. It distinguishes it from the English word 'corpse' (a dead body).
No. Many countries have naval infantry or marine forces, but not all use the specific title 'Marine Corps'. The most famous is the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The United Kingdom has the Royal Marines, which is a corps within the Royal Navy.