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United States Marshals Service

United States Marshals Service

5.3
A US government agency that protects judges, moves federal prisoners, guards witnesses, and manages property taken from criminals
  • proper noun
  • /juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts ˈmɑrʃəlz ˈsɜrvɪs/
translation icon : Servicio de Alguaciles de los Estados Unidos
  • The United States Marshals Service is responsible for apprehending fugitives and managing assets seized from criminals.

Examples

  • After his testimony, the United States Marshals Service provided round-the-clock protection to the witness.

  • The United States Marshals Service plays a crucial role in federal law enforcement.

  • A career with the United States Marshals Service requires rigorous training in federal law enforcement.

  • Did you know the United States Marshals Service protects federal witnesses?

  • The United States Marshals Service is an essential agency for transporting federal prisoners securely.

  • After a high-profile case, the United States Marshals Service ensured the safety of the presiding judge.

  • Agents from the United States Marshals Service arrested a fugitive who had been evading law enforcement for years.

Synonyms

US Marshals Service
vsUnited States Marshals Service
3.7

A United States government group that protects judges and witnesses and arrests or moves prisoners

is focused on specific duties like protecting the federal judiciary and transporting prisoners

Surface Forms

Morphology

united + state + Marshals + service

The name is fully compositional: 'United States' identifies the country, 'Marshals' denotes officers who protect the judiciary and transport prisoners, and 'Service' denotes an organization — together meaning the U.S. organization of marshals. This noun-noun compound follows a straightforward, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer the agency's basic role.

Etymology

United States Marshals Service comes from the old word marshals, meaning officers who 'protect people' and 'keep order'. United States shows it is for the whole country and Service means a government team that helps with law and order, so the name explains why this agency 'protects judges, moves prisoners, and catches fugitives'.