petty officer

American  

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 British  

noun

1. a noncommissioned officer in a naval service, comparable in rank to a sergeant in an army or marine corps

---

Etymology

Origin of petty officer

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

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

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2024

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 • Oct. 10, 2023

The FBI said Speed was a petty officer first class in the U.S.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 17, 2022

In 1978, he dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Navy, where he rose to the rank of petty officer second class.

From Salon • Nov. 15, 2022

Pete, now a navy chief petty officer stationed in San Diego, came home to see Louie off.

From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand