chief petty officer

noun

, U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.

1. a noncommissioned rank above petty officer first class and below senior petty officer. : CPO, C.P.O., c.p.o.

chief petty officer

noun

1. the senior naval rank for personnel without commissioned or warrant rank CPO

Word History and Origins

Origin of chief petty officer¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

Her husband, a chief petty officer, declined to be interviewed by The Associated Press because he fears retaliation from the Navy.

From Seattle Times

A chief petty officer, Spillers, 30, worked as a career counselor.

From Seattle Times

Gregory Allen Howard was born Jan. 28, 1952, in Norfolk, but moved frequently because of his stepfather’s assignments as a Navy chief petty officer.

From Washington Post

As the ship came together, the captain gathered his chief petty officers to set the tone for the crew.

From Washington Post

Navy chief petty officer is accused of targeting current and former members of the military in a fraudulent investment scheme that raked in more than $350,000.

From Washington Times