police officer

[ puh-lees aw-fuh-ser, of-uh- ]

noun

1. any policeman or policewoman; patrolman or patrolwoman.
2. a person having officer rank on a police force.

police officer

noun

1. a member of a police force, esp a constable; policeman Often (esp as form of address) shortened toofficer

Word History and Origins

Origin of police officer¹

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

The last Trump administration sought to withhold money from Los Angeles over its long-standing policy of not allowing police officers to take part in immigration enforcement.

From Los Angeles Times

Four of those detained on Tuesday are soldiers and one is a police officer, local media reported.

From BBC

Federal agents, local police officers and National Guard soldiers could be redeployed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deal with unauthorized immigrants.

From New York Times

Two police officers visited the house later that evening to tell her family that she had died.

From BBC

In March Kerr pleaded not guilty after being charged with racially aggravated harassment of a police officer in London.

From BBC

Related Words

• constable
• deputy
• detective
• marshal
• military police
• officer
• policeman
• trooper