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 did reach the rank of command sergeant major near the end of his service, but he officially retired one rank below as a master sergeant.

From BBC • Aug. 8, 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

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

From Washington Times • Jul. 7, 2023

Soon after, he was promoted ahead of 500 other enlisted men to sergeant major, the highest Army rank for a noncommissioned officer.

From Washington Post • Jan. 19, 2023

The sergeant major loops one finger under his collar and pulls against its tightness.

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