police officer

noun

: a member of a police force

Synonyms of police officer

• policeman
• officer
• cop
• constable

Examples of police officer in a Sentence

there were police officers directing traffic around the scene of the accident

Recent Examples on the Web

And, currently, Chicago has about 1,600 fewer police officers than in 2019. — Arne Duncan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026

The university is also moving forward with plans to expand its police department, hiring two additional sergeants and eight police officers. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026

Dozens of people on board and at least two police officers were dragged from the 66-degree river onto nearby ships. — Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026

During the final decades of Mobutu’s rule, civil servants across the country—soldiers, police officers, doctors and teachers—were paid a pittance. — Anthony W. Gambino, Time, 13 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

police officer

noun

: a member of a police force