policeman

noun

po·​lice·​man pə-ˈlēs-mən 

1

: a member of a police force

2

: one held to resemble a policeman

… making the United States the policeman for the whole wide world.

—R. B. Long

Synonyms of policeman

• cop
• officer
• constable

Examples of policeman in a Sentence

reported the crime to the nearest policeman

Recent Examples on the Web

Former policeman Thaksin Shinawatra reshaped Thailand’s politics. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026

But as concerned as the reactions may be, politicians and policemen alike seem to knowingly (and preemptively) pass the blame around. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026

He was supposed to meet Atre at this address at this time, but instead there was a policeman standing sentry outside. —Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026

At such protests, white policemen often famously saved their worst acts of brutality for the few white demonstrators. —Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for policeman

• policemen

Kids Definition

policeman

noun

po·​lice·​man pə-ˈlē-smən 

: police officer

Medical Definition

policeman

noun

po·​lice·​man pə-ˈlēs-mən 

plural policemen -mən 

: an instrument (as a flat piece of rubber on a glass rod) for removing solids from a vessel (as a beaker)