Sergeant: meaning, definitions and examples

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sergeant

[ˈsɑːrdʒənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

military

A sergeant is a rank in the army, above a corporal and below a staff sergeant. Sergeants typically have leadership responsibilities and oversee the work of lower-ranking soldiers.

Synonyms

NCO, non-commissioned officer, serge.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sergeant	Commonly used in military contexts to refer to a non-commissioned officer rank, often involved in front-line leadership or direct supervision of lower-ranked soldiers. During the training exercise, the sergeant emphasized the importance of teamwork. Sergeant Wilson was responsible for the squad's safety during the mission.
non-commissioned officer	A formal term used to describe a soldier who has not earned a commission but holds authority. This term is often used in official documents, formal reports, or when explaining ranks to civilians. The non-commissioned officer corps is the backbone of the army. Each platoon has several non-commissioned officers who help maintain order.
NCO	An abbreviation for non-commissioned officer, typically used in military slang or casual conversations among military personnel. It can refer to any rank within the non-commissioned officer tier. The NCO gave us a briefing before we headed out on patrol. If you have any issues, report them to your NCO.
serge	An informal or affectionate term for a sergeant, usually used in casual conversations or by subordinates to address or refer to their sergeant. Hey, Serge, do we have any more ammo left? Serge told us to get some rest before the next drill.

Examples of usage

The sergeant gave orders to his squad.
The sergeant trained new recruits.
The sergeant was promoted for his exceptional leadership skills.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

police

In law enforcement, a sergeant is a rank above a corporal and below a lieutenant. Police sergeants often supervise a team of officers and are responsible for maintaining order and enforcing laws.

Synonyms

police officer, serge.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sergeant	Refers to a rank in the military or police, typically a mid-level position. Used in both formal and informal contexts, usually when discussing someone's title or role. Sergeant Johnson led the mission successfully. The sergeant instructed the recruits on their next task.
police officer	A general term for someone who works in the police force, regardless of their rank. Appropriate for everyday conversations, news reports, and when you do not know the specific rank of the police personnel. The police officer helped the lost child find her parents. A police officer directed traffic around the accident.
serge	An informal and somewhat outdated or regional shortening of 'sergeant'. It can be used in casual speech, often within the police or military communities. 'Hey, Serge,' called out one of the officers. Serge is the one you need to talk to about this case.

Word

Description / Examples

sergeant

Refers to a rank in the military or police, typically a mid-level position. Used in both formal and informal contexts, usually when discussing someone's title or role.

Sergeant Johnson led the mission successfully.
The sergeant instructed the recruits on their next task.

police officer

A general term for someone who works in the police force, regardless of their rank. Appropriate for everyday conversations, news reports, and when you do not know the specific rank of the police personnel.

The police officer helped the lost child find her parents.
A police officer directed traffic around the accident.

serge

An informal and somewhat outdated or regional shortening of 'sergeant'. It can be used in casual speech, often within the police or military communities.

'Hey, Serge,' called out one of the officers.
Serge is the one you need to talk to about this case.

Examples of usage

The police sergeant led the investigation.
The sergeant coordinated the patrol schedule.
The sergeant was commended for his handling of a difficult situation.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

general

In general terms, a sergeant is a non-commissioned officer responsible for leading and supervising a group of individuals. The role of a sergeant can vary depending on the organization or field.

Synonyms

leader, overseer, supervisor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sergeant	Used in a military or police environment to refer to a person who holds a certain rank and has authority over others. The sergeant led the training exercises The sergeant gave orders to the new recruits
leader	General term used to describe someone who guides or directs a group, organization, or country. She is a natural leader who inspires her team As a leader of the nation, he made impactful decisions
supervisor	Commonly used in workplace settings to refer to someone who manages and oversees the performance and tasks of employees. My supervisor reviewed my performance for the quarter The supervisor is responsible for maintaining workplace safety
overseer	Often has a historical or formal tone, used to describe someone who supervises others, especially in a work or plantation context; may carry a negative connotation due to historical associations with slavery. The overseer made sure the tasks were completed on time Historically, an overseer managed the labor on plantations

Examples of usage

The sergeant provided guidance to the team.
The sergeant ensured that tasks were completed efficiently.
The sergeant was respected for his experience and knowledge.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'serviens,' meaning 'to serve,' reflecting their role as leaders who help serve and train their teams.
In Middle English, the word evolved through the term 'sergeant', which originally referred to a servant or assistant, especially in a noble household.

Historical Roles

Since ancient times, sergeants have played crucial roles in maintaining discipline and organization within military ranks.
In medieval armies, sergeants acted as enforcers to keep peace among troops, often responsible for training new recruits.

Pop Culture

In movies and TV shows, sergeants are often depicted as tough but caring leaders, like Sergeant Hartman in 'Full Metal Jacket', who represents the challenging yet vital training process.
Video games featuring military operations often include sergeant characters that provide guidance to players, emphasizing leadership and strategy.

Military Structure

In the U.S. Army, the non-commissioned officer ranking includes several levels of sergeants, such as corporal and staff sergeant, each with distinct duties.
Sergeants are essential for bridging the gap between enlisted personnel and officers, ensuring effective communication and leadership.

Leadership Skills

Effective sergeants are trained in leadership skills, including conflict resolution and mentorship, which help build teamwork.
They often participate in strategy development and implementation during missions, showcasing their tactical importance.

Translations

Translations of the word "sergeant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sargento

🇮🇳 सार्जेंट

🇩🇪 Sergeant

🇮🇩 sersan

🇺🇦 сержант

🇵🇱 sierżant

🇯🇵 軍曹

🇫🇷 sergent

🇪🇸 sargento

🇹🇷 çavuş

🇰🇷 병장

🇸🇦 رقيب

🇨🇿 seržant

🇸🇰 seržant

🇨🇳 中士

🇸🇮 narednik

🇮🇸 liðþjálfi

🇰🇿 сержант

🇬🇪 სერჟანტი

🇦🇿 serjant

🇲🇽 sargento

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,438 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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8435 ware
8436 storing
8437 engraved
8438 sergeant
8439 denoted
8440 saith
8441 hydroxide
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