sergeant

American  

[sahr-juhnt] / ˈsɑr dʒənt /

especially British, serjeant

noun

1. a noncommissioned army officer of a rank above that of corporal.

2. U.S. Air Force. any noncommissioned officer above the rank of airman first class.

3. a police officer ranking immediately below a captain or a lieutenant in the U.S. and immediately below an inspector in Britain.

4. a title of a particular office or function at the court of a monarch (often used in combination).

   sergeant of the larder; sergeant-caterer.

5. sergeant at arms.

6. Also called sergeant at law.  British. (formerly) a member of a superior order of barristers.

7. sergeantfish.

8. (initial capital letter) a surface-to-surface, single-stage, U.S. ballistic missile.

9. a tenant by military service, below the rank of knight.

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sergeant British  

/ ˈsɑːdʒənsɪ, ˈsɑːdʒənt /

noun

1. a noncommissioned officer in certain armed forces, usually ranking above a corporal

2. 1. (in Britain) a police officer ranking between constable and inspector

   2. (in the US) a police officer ranking below a captain

3. See sergeant at arms

4. a court or municipal officer who has ceremonial duties

5. (formerly) a tenant by military service, not of knightly rank

6. See serjeant at law

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Other Word Forms

• sergeancy noun
• sergeantship noun

Etymology

Origin of sergeant

1150–1200; Middle English sergant, serjant, serjaunt < Old French sergent < Latin servient- (stem of serviēns ), present participle of servīre. See serve, -ent

Example Sentences

Dos Santos, who speaks four languages, is a bit of a mix of LAFC’s first two managers — not nearly as strict as Bradley, the drill sergeant, yet not quite as relaxed as Cherundolo.

From Los Angeles Times

The police watchdog said that a former detective constable could face gross misconduct proceedings - relating to alleged failures to properly investigate - and that two former detective sergeants were being investigated for alleged misconduct.

From BBC

Lemus, a 40-year-old father of three, comes from a family of Sheriff’s Department employees, including his wife, a detective, and his sisters, who are sergeants.

From Los Angeles Times

Kelly was downgraded to police officer from sergeant and assigned to an administrative post.

From Los Angeles Times

Rolf had learned the story from the sergeant at the night desk.

From Literature

Related Words

• agent
• informer
• police officer
• private eye
• private investigator
• prosecutor
• reporter
• sleuth
• spy