field marshal

/ˌfil(d) ˈmɑrʃəl/

Definitions of field marshal

1. noun

   an officer holding the highest rank in the army
   examples:

   Paul Ludwig von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg

   German field marshal and statesman; as president of the Weimar Republic he reluctantly appointed Hitler as chancellor in 1933 (1847-1934)

   Joseph Jacques Cesaire Joffre

   French field marshal who commanded the Allied armies in France during World War II (1852-1931)

   First Earl Kitchener of Khartoum

   British field marshal (1850-1916)

   Mikhail Ilarionovich Kutuzov

   Russian field marshal who commanded the Russian opposition to Napoleon (1745-1813)

   Erwin Rommel

   German field marshal noted for brilliant generalship in North Africa during World War II (1891-1944)

   Karl Rudolf Gerd von Rundstedt

   German field marshal in World War II who directed the conquest of Poland and led the Ardennes counteroffensive (1875-1953)

   Archibald Percival Wavell

   British field marshal in North Africa in World War II; he defeated the Italians before being defeated by the Germans (1883-1950)

   type of:

   marshal, marshall

   (in some countries) a military officer of highest rank