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 2024 general election was the first where all 4,515 candidates were offered basic security and had access to a named police officer during the campaign and guidance on respectful campaigning was updated.

From BBC

Homan, 62, started his career as a police officer in New York state before serving as a border patrol agent - a role he often references.

From BBC

"Violet", from Virginia Beach in the US, came forward to a police officer based in her school.

From BBC

The daughter of a police officer and a hospital receptionist, the actress was born and brought up in Chessington, Greater London.

From BBC

In an email, Berkeley police officer Byron White identified six “gunfire locations” in the area of the UC Berkeley campus, including the 2400 blocks of Telegraph and Durant avenues; the 2200 blocks of Bancroft Way and University Avenue; the 2400 block of Durant Avenue; the 2300 block of Fulton Street and the 1100 block of Sutter Street.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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