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.

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petty officer British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of petty officer

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

Mr. Trump stepped in again, allowing him to keep the insignia and retire as a chief petty officer.

From Washington Times

He and his best friend, Slim, had studied with flashlights under the covers for the petty officer test and soon outranked the bigots who had to show them institutional respect.

From Los Angeles Times

“We were deployed for 341 days and the only thing going through my mind was what’s going on at home,” said Christian Flores, a nuclear mechanic and third class petty officer.

From Washington Times

Constitution named one of its cannons in honor of the first woman to serve as a chief petty officer in the Navy.

From Seattle Times

Sullivan served eight years in the Navy, and was honorably discharged in 2016 with the rank of petty officer.

From Fox News