patrolman

[ puh-trohl-muhn ]

noun

, plural pa·trol·men.

1. a police officer who is assigned to patrol a specific district, route, etc.
2. a person who patrols.

patrolman

/ pəˈtrəʊlmən /

noun

1. a man, esp a policeman, who patrols a certain area
2. a man employed to patrol an area to help motorists in difficulty

Gender Note

See -man.

Word History and Origins

Origin of patrolman¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; patrol + -man

Example Sentences

They heard how the highway patrolman told Ms. Hamer, “We are going to make you wish you was dead.”

From Salon

Ronald Reagan called in more than 2,000 National Guard troops and hundreds of highway patrolmen, who descended on campus with weapons.

From Los Angeles Times

A woman nervously peers into her rearview mirror as a patrolman activates his car’s lights and sirens.

From New York Times

Two California Highway patrolmen stood about 20 feet away, talking to each other as traffic crawled along.

From Los Angeles Times

“I understand we might be having a better night,” Tampa police patrolman Taylor Grant said before looking at the business card.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• constable
• policewoman