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

He said all 16 custody sergeants and all 34 designated detention officers were being moved to other sites.

From BBC

That afternoon in September 2011, as she approached her apartment, two sheriff’s sergeants were waiting for her.

From Los Angeles Times

The officers range in rank from police constable to sergeant.

From BBC

Army sergeant with a history of disciplinary problems, serves as the “country team leader” for UG Solutions in Gaza.

From Salon

The gang's leader, Johnny "Taz" Mulford, is a former sergeant in the US Army who was punished for conspiracy to commit bribery, theft and making false statements to military authorities.

From BBC

Related Words

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