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. Often (esp as form of address) shortened to: officer. a member of a police force, esp a constable; policeman

Word History and Origins

Origin of police officer¹

First recorded in 1790–1800

Related Words

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