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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.

The Madlanga Commission was established after a senior police officer claimed criminal gangs had infiltrated the government - an accusation that led to the sacking of the country's police minister.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

I told him I felt like I was in over my head and mentioned that my husband was a police officer who would be home in 20 minutes.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

He has recounted youthful dreaming of becoming a police officer like his father.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Norris’s plan after high-school graduation was to become a police officer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

The bus stopped in front of a police officer, who was detouring traffic.

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

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.