noun
Uncommon
cadet
kuh-DEHT
Cadet (noun) means a student training to become a military or police officer. Example: “The cadets marched across the parade ground at dawn.”
noun
1
A student training to become a military or police officer.
"The cadets marched across the parade ground at dawn."
2
(dated) A younger son in a family, who traditionally would not inherit the family estate.
"As the cadet branch of the family, they held no title."
How to use cadet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA trainee officer in the military or police, or, in an older sense, a family's younger son.
Common pairings
a police cadet
officer cadet
cadet training
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Word forms
- Plural
- cadets
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ marched across the parade ground at dawn.
Etymology
Borrowed from French cadet, from Gascon capdet ("little chief"), from Late Latin capitellum, "small head" — first used in English from the 1630s.
Class of 1630
cadet joined the language around 1630.
See the full Class of 1630 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “cadet” mean?
The word “cadet” means a student training to become a military or police officer. In plain terms, a trainee officer in the military or police, or, in an older sense, a family's younger son.
How do you pronounce “cadet”?
“Cadet” is pronounced kuh-DEHT (/kəˈdɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “cadet” in a sentence?
Here is “cadet” used in a sentence: “The cadets marched across the parade ground at dawn.”
What part of speech is “cadet”?
“Cadet” is a noun.
Where does the word “cadet” come from?
The word “cadet” dates back to around 1630 and comes from Late Latin. Borrowed from French cadet, from Gascon capdet ("little chief"), from Late Latin capitellum, "small head" — first used in English from the 1630s.
Is “cadet” a common word?
“Cadet” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cadet” have?
“Cadet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a student training to become a military or police officer.
