In Gurbani, the word “Sant” has many different meanings. In Gurbani, it has at least these meanings:

1. Vaheguru
2. Guru Sahib – Singular
3. Guru Sahib – Plural
4. Bhagat Jan, Gursikh – Singular
5. Bhagats, Gursikhs – Plural

This word can have one of the aforementioned meanings depending on the context and pankiti.

1. The word “Sant” used for Vaheguru
Listed below are a few Gurbani Pankitis that refer to Vaheguru as “Sant.”

ਭਾਗੁ ਹੋਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਸੰਤੁ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥
ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਘਰ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
Good Fortune sprouted, and my Guru enabled me to meet Sant-Roop Vaheguru. I met indestructible Vaheguru right within me.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji- Ang: 97)

ਹਮਰੋ ਭਰਤਾ ਬਡੋ ਬਿਬੇਕੀ ਆਪੇ ਸੰਤੁ ਕਹਾਵੈ ॥
ਓਹੁ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਮਾਥੈ ਕਾਇਮੁ ਅਉਰੁ ਹਮਰੈ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥3॥
My Husband (Master) is Great Bibeki (one who possesses all knowledge) and he himself is called a Sant. He is established on my forehead; for this reason Maya does not come near me.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji- Ang: 476)

2. The word “Sant” used for Guru Sahib (“Sant” as Singular Noun)
Listed below are a few Gurbani Pankitis that refer to Guru Sahib as “Sant.”

ਹਰਿ ਕਾ ਸੰਤੁ ਸਤਗੁਰੁ ਸਤ ਪੁਰਖਾ ਜੋ ਬੋਲੈ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਬਾਨੀ ॥
ਜੋ ਜੋ ਕਹੈ ਸੁਣੈ ਸੋ ਮੁਕਤਾ ਹਮ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਸਦ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੀ ॥1॥
Satguru is Vaheguru’s Sant, Eternal Purakh (person), and he speaks Baani describing Naam (Har Har Baani). Whoever utters and listens to this Baani get emancipated and I am sacrifice to such Satguru.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji- Ang: 667)

ਗੁਰੁ ਸੰਤੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਸਗਲ ਇਛਾ ਪੁੰਨੀਆ ॥
When I met Guru-Sant, then I meditated on Vaheguru jee and all my wishes were fulfilled.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji- Ang: 779)

3. The word “Sant” used for Guru Sahib (“Sant” as Plural Noun)
The word “Sant” is typically used as a plural noun to refer to Gursikhs, however in some contexts, even when it is a plural noun, it can still refer to Guru Sahib.

ਭੇਟਤ ਸੰਗਿ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਚਿਤਿ ਆਇਆ ॥
ਸੰਗਤਿ ਕਰਤ ਸੰਤੋਖੁ ਮਨਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
ਸੰਤਹ ਚਰਨ ਮਾਥਾ ਮੇਰੋ ਪਉਤ ॥
ਅਨਿਕ ਬਾਰ ਸੰਤਹ ਡੰਡਉਤ ॥1॥
When I met them (Sant Guru jee), I remembered Vaheguru. By doing their sangat, I got Santokh (contentedness) in my heart. My forehead is on the Charan of Sants (Guru Sahib). I prostrate before Sants many times.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji- Ang: 892)

4. The word Sant used for Gursikhs (Singular)

ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰੇ ਜਿਸੁ ਪ੍ਰਾਨਪਤਿ ਦਾਤਾ ਸੋਈ ਸੰਤੁ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵੈ ॥
ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਭਗਤਿ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਮਨੁ ਲੀਣਾ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਵੈ ॥2॥
On whom the master of Life Vaheguru does Kirpa (does mercy), only such Sant sings his praises. His mind is taken by Prema-Bhagti (Devotional worship) and Vaheguru’s loves such Bhagat with heart.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji- Ang: 628)

5. The word Sant used for Gursikhs (Plural)
When the word “Sant” appears as a plural noun, then most of the times it is used for Gursikhs:

ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਤੇ ਸੰਤ ਜਨ ਜਿਨ ਮਨਿ ਵੁਠਾ ਆਇ ॥
Such Sants are fortunate, in the hearts of whom, Vaheguru has appeared.
(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji- Ang: 961)

Use of “Sant” for specific Bhagats
Here are a few pankitis where Bhagat Prahalad jee and Bhagat Kabir jee are referred to as “Sant”: