police officer

noun

Synonyms of police officernext
: a member of a police force

Examples of police officer in a Sentence

there were police officers directing traffic around the scene of the accident
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Two people were hurt, one of them critically, when two Dallas police officers exchanged gunfire Monday night with a gunman, who was inside the bathroom of a Red Bird-area apartment, authorities said during a late-night news conference. Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026 Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026 Three people were injured, including a Dallas police officer, during an exchange of gunfire after a disturbance call at an apartment Monday night, the Dallas police chief confirmed. Giles Hudson, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026 Hospital officials later apologized to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and said police officers are allowed to carry weapons while seeking treatment. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for police officer

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of police officer was in 1797

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Police officer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/police%20officer. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

police officer

noun
: a member of a police force

More from Merriam-Webster on police officer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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