provost sergeant

[ proh-voh ]

noun

, Military.

1. the senior noncommissioned officer of a prison or other confinement facility whose chief duty is the supervision of prisoners and of the military police unit.

Word History and Origins

Origin of provost sergeant¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

THE provost sergeant at Fort Robinson is a man who has seen and heard a great deal in the course of his army life, and who has the enviable faculty of knowing everything that is going on around him, without appearing to know anything at all.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the provost sergeant from Fort Robinson.

From Project Gutenberg

Two more witnesses were examined that afternoon—the provost sergeant and Captain Charlton.

From Project Gutenberg

"Just see where they are at noon then, and let me know," and the provost sergeant went his way, leaving the officers in consultation.

From Project Gutenberg

The provost sergeant is sergeant of the prisoner guard and overseers, and as such receives orders from the commanding officer and the commander of the prisoner guard only.

From Project Gutenberg