1. 1. (Abbr. SGT or Sgt or Sgt.) A noncommissioned rank in the U.S. Army or Marine Corps that is above corporal and below staff sergeant.
   2. Any of several ranks of noncommissioned officers in the U.S. Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps: master gunnery sergeant; staff sergeant.
   3. One who holds any of these ranks.
2. 1. (Abbr. Sgt.) The rank of police officer next below a captain, lieutenant, or inspector.
   2. A police officer holding this rank.
3. A sergeant at arms.

[Middle English sergeaunte, a common soldier, from Old French sergent, from Medieval Latin serviēns, servient-, servant, soldier, from Late Latin, public official, from Latin, present participle of servīre, to serve, from servus, slave.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.