chief petty officer

American  

noun

U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.

1. a noncommissioned rank above petty officer first class and below senior petty officer. CPO, C.P.O., c.p.o.

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chief petty officer British  

noun

1.  CPO.  the senior naval rank for personnel without commissioned or warrant rank

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Etymology

Origin of chief petty officer

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

Her husband, a chief petty officer, declined to be interviewed by The Associated Press because he fears retaliation from the Navy.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 27, 2024

The accused is a chief petty officer fire controlman assigned to a Japan-based guided missile destroyer, the USS Higgins.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2024

To discuss that larger conflict and much more, I recently spoke with Malcolm Nance, a former senior chief petty officer in the U.S.

From Salon • Jul. 25, 2022

Mr. Emerson’s hitch lasted 20 years, and he retired with the rank of master chief petty officer.

From Washington Post • Aug. 31, 2021

Ishmael Chambers, in the last light of day, found himself seated in the office of the lighthouse chief petty officer, a large man named Evan Powell.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson