truant officer

noun

1. a public-school official who investigates unauthorized absences from school.

Word History and Origins

Origin of truant officer¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

It wasn’t a truant officer at his door, though — no one had ever come knocking about that.

From Seattle Times

He attended Coleman Grade School and Franklin High School, where when he was absent, according to Heye, “the truant officer always knew where she could find Remo — at his family’s bakery, baking bread with his parents!”

From Seattle Times

And that’s because she wanted to be part of the gang and wasn’t necessarily interested in being the truant officer of the family or the responsible caregiver.

From New York Times

Screwy Squirrel decides to go fishing instead of school and the truant officer tries to find out why.

From Los Angeles Times

Bonnie’s father, Stan Colwell, had been a tough truant officer before being promoted to principal at a second-chance high school.

From Los Angeles Times