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Synonyms

police officer

American  
[puh-lees aw-fuh-ser, of-uh-] / pəˈlis ˌɔ fə sər, ˌɒf ə- /

noun

  1. any policeman or policewoman; patrolman or patrolwoman.

  2. a person having officer rank on a police force.


police officer British  

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

“We’re educating the public on what these terms are, what they mean, and what to look for,” said Los Angeles police officer Brandon Pon of the West Traffic Division.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Also on Thursday, 50-year-old Matt Styler, of Gosport, pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

"I have come to meet Jesus Christ through the words of the pope," 30-year-old police officer Marta Perez told AFP.

From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026

A Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge dismissed a murder indictment Friday against a former Los Angeles police officer in the 2015 killing of an unarmed homeless man.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

This is a real live police officer looming over me, his eyes hidden by sunglasses.

From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi

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