Phrase guide

noncommissioned officer

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A person of authority in the military who has not received a commission (a direct conveyance of authority from the sovereign government); as such they can have charge or control but not command in the most technical use of the word.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • A platoon sergeant may only be a noncommissioned officer but he's the one his men look to when the bullets start flying.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: NCO, noncom, non-com

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a military officer appointed from enlisted personnel

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: noncom, enlisted officer

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: military officer, officer

Narrower terms: aircraftsman, aircraftman, bombardier, chief petty officer, corporal, drill master, drill instructor, lance corporal, petty officer, PO, P.O., sergeant

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.