petty officer

noun

1. a noncommissioned U.S. Navy rank with three grades.
2. one of the minor officers on a merchant ship, as a boatswain or carpenter.

petty officer

noun

1. a noncommissioned officer in a naval service, comparable in rank to a sergeant in an army or marine corps

Word History and Origins

Origin of petty officer¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

Petty Officer Jonathan Keefe later said, “It was like moon dust, or snow, and we were sinking in.”

From The Daily Beast

He was awarded the Navy Cross for combat heroism in 2006 and retired as a Petty Officer 1st Class in 2007.

From The Daily Beast

He marched up to the quarterdeck, stood at attention, and said, “Petty Officer Klauser reporting for duty.”

From The Daily Beast

The petty officer—he was a petty officer, though Sara Lee had never heard the term—was inclined to be suspicious.

From Project Gutenberg

He did his year's service as a petty officer and went through the discipline and hardships of the common marine.

From Project Gutenberg

There arose cries and shoutings without, and a petty officer burst into the hut, puffed with importance and pride.

From Project Gutenberg

The petty officer had told him that he appeared to be quite sick when he came on board the night before.

From Project Gutenberg

The Petty Officer himself, chancing to look to port, suddenly saw a submarine on the surface….

From Project Gutenberg