peace officer

noun

: a civil officer (such as a police officer) whose duty it is to preserve the public peace

Examples of peace officer in a Sentence

He was arrested for assaulting a peace officer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Gonzaba was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, causing bodily injury, hit-and-run involving death/injury, vehicle theft and felony evading a peace officer with disregard for safety, police said. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Mike O’Connell, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Public Safety, said Showalter’s peace officer license was inactive. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026

Corrales and Henry also face charges of obstructing a peace officer. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2026

He was booked into San Diego Central Jail on charges of felony evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, obstructing or resisting a peace officer and driving under the influence of drugs, according to police. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

peace officer

noun

: a civil officer (as a police officer) whose duty it is to preserve the public peace