traffic cop

American  

noun

Informal.

1. a police officer who directs the flow of traffic, usually at an intersection.

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traffic cop British  

noun

1. informal a policeman who supervises road traffic

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Etymology

Origin of traffic cop

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

Five Scottish tries in the bag, a 27-point lead on the board and Finn Russell directing his players around the pitch with the authority of the world's greatest traffic cop.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2025

Two: Madeleine Westerhout, who was basically the sort of traffic cop in the White House, sitting right outside the Oval Office, trying to direct what was happening.

From Slate • Sep. 6, 2024

Nine hours after going missing on the Isleta Pueblo just south of Albuquerque, the elder was found over 400 miles away by an Oklahoma traffic cop after his car ran out of gas, Lucero said.

From Reuters • Jul. 29, 2023

Daniels often operates like a traffic cop at the top of the high post while directing the offense.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 23, 2023

He held up a hand like a traffic cop, stopping Emily.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman