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.
He has been charged with one felony count each of assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest and animal cruelty and pleaded not guilty, according to court records. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025 Charges included refusing to disperse, unlawful assembly, assaulting a peace officer, resisting or threatening an officer, vandalism and destroying a device used to call for emergency help. Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 18 June 2025 Eventually, the officer arrested Prater, and he was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on charges of threatening an executive officer and battery on a peace officer, police said. Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2025 In December 2024, the teen driver in the March 2024 incident was adjudicated delinquent — the juvenile version of being found guilty — of aiding and abetting first-degree assault of a peace officer. Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 18 June 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 21 Jul. 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
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