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

Francis provided investigators with detailed information on hundreds of sailors, from petty officers to admirals.

From BBC

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

Mr Zhao was a petty officer working at a California naval base.

From BBC

The petty officer was stationed at Port Hueneme’s naval base when he started to pass sensitive material to a Chinese official between August 2021 and May 2023, according to Justice Department officials.

From Los Angeles Times