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

• bobby [British]
• bull [slang]
• constable [chiefly British]
• cop
• copper
• flatfoot [slang]
• fuzz
• gendarme
• lawman
• officer
• police officer
• shamus [slang]

Examples of policeman in a Sentence

reported the crime to the nearest policeman

Recent Examples on the Web

The National Police Office will fully take care of the benefits and welfare of the families of the 5 brave policemen. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025

To date, only eight policemen had been convicted for five drug war deaths, according to court documents. —Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2025

The suspect collided with the policeman causing the chainsaw to fall to the floor. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025

Here's a rundown of what the TSA duties are: TSA air marshals are like the policemen of our skies, according to the Department of Homeland Security. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025

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)