The adjective corporal today usually appears in the phrase corporal punishment, which means "bodily punishment". This used to include such acts as mutilation, branding, imprisonment, and even death.

CORPORAL meaning: 1. of or relating to the body: 2. a person of low rank in the army or the air force: 3. of or…. Learn more.

Corporal is a military rank in use by the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services. The rank is usually the lowest ranking non-commissioned officer. In some militaries, …

Definition of corporal noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Corporal means "of the body." Corporal punishment involves physically harming someone. A corporal is also a noncommissioned officer in the Army, Air Force, and Marines.

a noncommissioned officer ranking above a private first class in the U.S. Army or lance corporal in the Marines and below a sergeant

cor•po•ral 2 (ˈkɔr pər əl, -prəl) n. 1. a noncommissioned U.S. Army officer ranking above a private first class. 2. a noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps ranking above a lance corporal. 3. an …

Jan 14, 2026 · Adjective corporal (not comparable) (archaic) Having a physical, tangible body; material, corporeal.

CORPORAL definition: of the human body; bodily; physical. See examples of corporal used in a sentence.

plural corporals Britannica Dictionary definition of CORPORAL [count] : an officer in the army or marines with a rank below sergeant — see also lance corporal