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Definition of patrolman

patrolman

/pəˈtroʊl.mən/
pa · trol · man
Plural:patrolmen
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patrolman Lexical Profile

patrolman Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A male police officer of the lowest rank whose duties primarily involve patrolling an assigned beat or district on foot or in a vehicle.

Example

"The veteran patrolman knew nearly every shopkeeper along his neighborhood beat."

2

A person employed to regularly inspect and guard a specific area, facility, or route, such as a railway line, pipeline, or forest.

Example

"A highway maintenance patrolman inspected the mountain pass for rockslides after the heavy rain."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for patrolman

Word Nuance & Usage

In modern institutional and professional usage, gender-neutral terms such as 'patrol officer' or 'police officer' are generally preferred over 'patrolman'.

• Rhymes for patrolman

• Nearby Words

patriotism
patrol
patroller
patrolman
patrolwoman
patron
patronage

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in mid-19th-century American English as a compound of 'patrol' (from French 'patrouiller', originally meaning to paddle through mud on watch) and 'man'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Patrolman. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/patrolman
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