sergeant

especially British, ser·jeant

[sahr-juhnt]

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.

sergeant

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• sergeancy noun
• sergeantship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sergeant¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sergeant¹

C12: from Old French sergent, from Latin serviēns, literally: serving, from servīre to _serve

Example Sentences

Later, at a holiday party, a sergeant speaking over a microphone at an event referred to Clasby’s young child as her and her husband’s “f— trophy,” according to the lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the five alleged attackers is the son of a Simi Valley police sergeant, according to department spokesperson Ryan Morton.

From Los Angeles Times

The officer is a sergeant based at Charing Cross police station and was arrested on Thursday evening, a statement from the Met said.

From BBC

It is a civilian role which involves working closely with sergeants and constables, but not taking part in arrests.

From BBC

And the party is using the Reform leader as a funding and recruiting sergeant.

From BBC

Related Words

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