police officer
Americannoun
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any policeman or policewoman; patrolman or patrolwoman.
-
a person having officer rank on a police force.
noun
Etymology
Origin of police officer
First recorded in 1790–1800
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the main witness, the police officer who had initially confronted Gamble, was grim-faced, rigidly polite, and completely serious about his claims.
From Slate • May 4, 2026
Later in court, police staff members and a senior police officer provided sworn statements, claiming the footage she had requested did not exist.
From BBC • May 1, 2026
A police officer at the Marylander in February said he hasn’t seen evidence of that.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026
Levin, who is also a former police officer, said it is possible those colliding with security guards could be charged with battery.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026
An Oakland police officer stood looking down on him, confusion twisting his face.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.