policeman
gb/pəlˈismən/ us/pəlˈismən/
A1
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
A male member of the police
A man who works for the police to keep people safe and make sure laws are followed.
Usage pattern:
a policeman [verb] [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'policeman' for female officers; 'policewoman' or 'police officer' are correct alternatives.
Synonyms
officer (A gender-neutral term for someone in the police; more formal and widely used today.)
|
cop (Informal, colloquial term for a police officer.)
Antonyms
civilian (A person who is not a member of the police or armed forces.)
Collocations
uniformed policeman
|traffic policeman
|policeman on duty
|policeman arrested
|policeman investigated
Themes
law
|public safety
|jobs
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The policeman directed traffic at the busy intersection.
- A policeman came to the scene after the accident was reported.
- The child asked the policeman for help finding his parents.
- The policeman questioned witnesses about the robbery.
- A local policeman was honored for his bravery.
Learner examples
- The policeman is talking to a driver.
- I saw a policeman near the school.
- The policeman is helping an old man.
- A policeman is standing on the street.
- The policeman is wearing a blue uniform.
Grammar
Dictionary form
policeman
IPA
GB/pəlˈismən/
US/pəlˈismən/
Syllables & stress
po - lice - man (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lice)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: policeman
- Plural: policemen
Word family
Expressions
policeman on the beat
1/pəlˈismən ˈɔn ðə bˈit/
fixed phrase
Policeman patrolling an area on foot
A policeman who walks around a set area to watch for problems.
Examples
- The local shopkeepers know the policeman on the beat by name.
- Years ago, every neighborhood had its own policeman on the beat.
call the police
1/kˈɔl ðə pəlˈis/
fixed phrase
Contact law enforcement
To phone or contact the police for help.
Examples
- If you see a crime, call the police immediately.
- If you see anything suspicious, call the police immediately.
- She threatened to call the police when he refused to leave.
- They decided to call the police when they heard noises downstairs.