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
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.
Bernal denied knowing that there was any alcohol in the Jell-O shots during an interview with Darrin Grissom, the peace officer for the elementary school. Chris Spargo, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025 Stanfield-Parker was taken to a hospital and released on a summons for obstructing a peace officer. Max Levy, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2025 He is charged with terroristic threat against a peace officer/judge, according to court records. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025 An 18-year-old Aurora man was arrested on charges of possession of less than 10 grams of cannabis and resisting or obstructing a peace officer at 10:10 p.m. March 14 in the 0 to 100 block of East Chicago Avenue. Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peace officer

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peace officer was in 1649

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Peace officer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peace%20officer. Accessed 16 May. 2025.

Legal Definition

peace officer

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

More from Merriam-Webster on peace officer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!