staff sergeant

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

staff′ ser′geant, 

1. Military [U.S. Air Force.] a noncommissioned officer ranking below a technical sergeant and above an airman first class.
2. Military [U.S. Army.] a noncommissioned officer ranking below a sergeant first class and above a sergeant.
3. Military [U.S. Marine Corps.] a noncommissioned officer ranking below a gunnery sergeant and above a sergeant.
• 1805–15

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

staff sergeant noun

1. a noncommissioned officer holding a rank between sergeant and warrant officer and employed on administrative duties
2. (in the Army) a noncommissioned officer who ranks above sergeant and below sergeant first class
3. (in the Air Force) a noncommissioned officer who ranks above airman first class and below technical sergeant
4. (in the Marine Corps) a noncommissioned officer who ranks above sergeant and below gunnery sergeant