Policeman

/ˈpoʊlɪsˌmæn/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A member of a police force, responsible for maintaining law and order.
The policeman directed traffic during the busy morning rush hour.
A law enforcement officer who serves in a city or town.
The children waved at the policeman as he walked by in the park.
An individual whose job is to enforce laws, prevent crime, and uphold public safety.
The policeman arrived quickly at the scene of the accident.
A male police officer.
The film featured a brave policeman who solved the mystery.
In some contexts, it may colloquially refer to any male law enforcement officer, regardless of rank.
When the alarm went off, the first response came from the nearest policeman.

Etymology

From police + man

Common Phrases and Expressions

policeman on the beat
A policeman who patrols a specific area.
officer friendly
A colloquial term for a helpful policeman.
bad cop
A policeman who is corrupt or abuses authority.

Related Words

police
The organized civil force for maintaining order, preventing, and detecting crime.
law enforcement
Agencies responsible for enforcing laws, maintaining public order, and preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal offenses.
detective
A police officer whose job is to investigate and solve crimes.

Slang Meanings

cop
Avoid the bar tonight; the cops are all over the place.
flatfoot
He was chased by a flatfoot after his petty crime.
badge
I was just talking to the badge about the incident.