Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

buck-sergeant

noun
/ˈbʌkˌsɑːrdʒənt/
Definition
A rank of non-commissioned officer in the military, typically below the rank of sergeant.
Examples
  • During the training, the buck-sergeant led the recruits through their drills.
  • When the sergeant was unavailable, the buck-sergeant stepped up to take charge of the unit.
Meaning
An informal term often used to refer to a person who holds the rank of a non-commissioned officer but is not a full sergeant; it conveys a sense of being a junior supervisor within a hierarchy.
Synonyms
  • corporal
  • junior NCO
  • non-commissioned officer