midshipman

noun

mid·​ship·​man ˈmid-ˌship-mən How to pronounce midshipman (audio)
ˌmid-ˈship-
: a person in training for a naval commission
especially : a student in a naval academy

Examples of midshipman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Law enforcement, in turn, fired on the midshipman, striking him in the arm. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026 The limestone stairs leading to it are worn by the footsteps of generations of midshipmen — young men and women training to carry the weight of command. — Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 6 May 2026 The midshipman is stable and receiving medical attention as a result. — Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 As many as 20 percent of cadets and midshipmen at the service academies are Eagle Scouts, according to statistics from Scouting America. — Tom Bowman, NPR, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for midshipman

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of midshipman was in 1662

Rhymes for midshipman

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Browse Nearby Words

midship line
midshipman
midshipman's-butter
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Cite this Entry

“Midshipman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/midshipman. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

midshipman

noun
mid·​ship·​man ˈmid-ˌship-mən How to pronounce midshipman (audio)
(ˈ)mid-ˈship-
: a student naval officer

More from Merriam-Webster on midshipman

Nglish: Translation of midshipman for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about midshipman

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