policeman

[ puh-lees-muhn ]

noun

, plural po·lice·men.

1. a member of a police force or body.
2. Ice Hockey. enforcer ( def 4 ).

policeman

/ pəˈliːsmən /

noun

1. a member of a police force, esp one holding the rank of constable Gender-neutral formpolice officer

Gender Note

See -man.

Other Words From

• po·liceman·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of policeman¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; police + -man

Example Sentences

One strike on Odesa on Monday killed 10 people, including seven policemen, and injured 47 others.

From BBC

“You cannot pay a policeman practically nothing and expect him to do his job,” Salazar said.

From Los Angeles Times

The Prices were motivated by “a funny version of feminism, where the glass ceiling is whether or not you’re allowed to shoot a gun at policeman,” Zetumer said.

From Los Angeles Times

Locals believe the girls’ father, a policeman, who remains in intensive care, may have been targeted.

From BBC

That person was a policeman, he says, who was killed in the attack.

From BBC

Related Words

• constable
• detective
• man
• officer
• patrolman
• patrolwoman
• police
• policewoman