sergeant major

American  

noun

1. U.S. Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps. a noncommissioned officer serving as chief administrative assistant in a unit headquarters.

2. U.S. Marine Corps. a noncommissioned officer ranking above a first sergeant.

3. a small damselfish, Abudefduf saxatilis, inhabiting warm Atlantic waters, having vertical black stripes on each side.

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sergeant major British  

noun

1. a noncommissioned officer of the highest rank or having specific administrative tasks in branches of the armed forces of various countries

2. a large damselfish, Abudefduf saxatilis, having a bluish-grey body marked with black stripes

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Etymology

Origin of sergeant major

First recorded in 1565–75

Example Sentences

He spent 24 years in the Army National Guard, rising to the unlisted rank of sergeant major.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2024

Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota also intervened on his behalf along with the service’s top noncommissioned officer, the sergeant major of the Army.

From Seattle Times • May 16, 2024

During his "reception", Artem Dyblenko, a 40-year-old sergeant major at the 36th Marine Brigade, overheard the guards talking about playing football with the captives.

From BBC • Aug. 16, 2023

Major Black has been sergeant major of the Marine Corps since 2019.

From Washington Times • Jul. 7, 2023

The limp of a German sergeant major with a dead voice.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr