Regiment

This article is about regiments in military ground forces. For regiments in air forces, see Aviation Regiment (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with regimen.
Standard NATO symbol for a regiment of several battalions, indicated by the III. The shape, colour and pattern indicate friendly infantry.
Romanian 27th Infantry Regiment in front of the Hungarian Parliament in 1919

A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service, or specialisation.

In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers,[1] recruited or conscripted in one geographical area, by a leader who was often also the feudal lord in capite of the soldiers. Lesser barons of knightly rank could be expected to muster or hire a company or battalion from their manorial estate.

By the end of the 17th century, infantry regiments in most European armies were permanent units, with approximately 800 men and commanded by a colonel.

  1. ^ Page 39, Vol. XXIII, Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th Edition.