noun
yeoman
YOH-muhn
Yeoman (noun) means Historically, a farmer who owned and worked his own modest plot of land, ranking as a respectable commoner. Example: “The yeoman farmers of the region formed the backbone of the local militia.”
noun
1
Historically, a farmer who owned and worked his own modest plot of land, ranking as a respectable commoner.
"The yeoman farmers of the region formed the backbone of the local militia."
2
A dependable, hardworking person who does solid, unglamorous service — often in the phrase "yeoman's work" or "yeoman service".
"The volunteers did yeoman's work clearing debris after the storm."
3
A ceremonial attendant to the British monarch, as in "Yeoman of the Guard".
"The Yeomen of the Guard still wear their traditional Tudor uniforms at state occasions."
How to use yeoman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHistorically a small independent farmer; today mostly used to praise steady, reliable hard work ("yeoman's service").
Common pairings
yeoman's work
yeoman service
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Word forms
- Plural
- yeomen
Fill the gap
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The _____ farmers of the region formed the backbone of the local militia.
Etymology
Of disputed origin — possibly from an Old English compound meaning roughly "district man" (a man attached to a local area), or possibly a worn-down form of "young man".
Synonyms
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beefeater
yeoman of the guard
Related words
Rhymes for yeoman
Oman
woman
roman
Loman
ottoman
madwoman
catwoman
saleswoman
chairwoman
policewoman
councilwoman
businesswoman
See all rhymes for yeoman →
Frequently asked questions
What does “yeoman” mean?
The word “yeoman” means historically, a farmer who owned and worked his own modest plot of land, ranking as a respectable commoner. In plain terms, historically a small independent farmer; today mostly used to praise steady, reliable hard work ("yeoman's service").
How do you pronounce “yeoman”?
“Yeoman” is pronounced YOH-muhn (/ˈjoʊ.mən/ in IPA).
How do you use “yeoman” in a sentence?
Here is “yeoman” used in a sentence: “The yeoman farmers of the region formed the backbone of the local militia.”
What part of speech is “yeoman”?
“Yeoman” is a noun.
Where does the word “yeoman” come from?
The word “yeoman” comes from Old English. Of disputed origin — possibly from an Old English compound meaning roughly "district man" (a man attached to a local area), or possibly a worn-down form of "young man".
How many meanings does “yeoman” have?
“Yeoman” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: historically, a farmer who owned and worked his own modest plot of land, ranking as a respectable commoner.
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