/ ˈsɑːdʒənt; NAmE ˈsɑːrdʒ-/ noun ( abbr. Sergt , Sgt )
1.
a member of one of the middle ranks in the army and the air force , below an officer :
Sergeant Salter
—see also flight sergeant , staff sergeant
2.
(in Britain) a police officer just below the rank of an inspector
3.
(in the US) a police officer just below the rank of a lieutenant or captain
—see also sarge
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French sergent , from Latin servient- serving, from the verb servire . Early use was as a general term meaning attendant, servant and common soldier ; the term was later applied to specific official roles.