peace officer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Legal, Official
Quick answer
What does “peace officer” mean?
A civil officer (such as a sheriff, constable, or police officer) whose duty is to preserve public peace and order, enforce laws, and make arrests.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A civil officer (such as a sheriff, constable, or police officer) whose duty is to preserve public peace and order, enforce laws, and make arrests.
A broad legal term for any public official with law enforcement authority, often used in statutes to designate a range of officials from police to court officers, with specific powers defined by jurisdiction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term is archaic in everyday use but remains in specific legal statutes. In the US and Canada, it is a current, functional legal term with wide statutory definition.
Connotations
UK: Historical, formal/legal. US/Canada: Contemporary, broad legal category.
Frequency
Low frequency in general UK English; moderate frequency in US/Canadian legal and official contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “peace officer” in a Sentence
The [peace officer] arrested the suspect.[Peace officers] have the authority to [enforce laws].He was sworn in as a [peace officer].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in security or regulatory compliance contexts.
Academic
Used in legal studies, criminal justice, and political science discussing law enforcement powers.
Everyday
Uncommon; 'police officer' or 'cop' is preferred.
Technical
Core term in legal documents, statutes, and law enforcement training manuals defining authority.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “peace officer”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “peace officer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “peace officer”
- Using it interchangeably with 'police officer' in all contexts (it's broader).
- Capitalising it when not at the start of a sentence.
- Omitting the article ('a peace officer', not 'peace officer').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. All police officers are peace officers, but not all peace officers are police officers. The term 'peace officer' can include sheriffs, constables, game wardens, and certain court officers, depending on the jurisdiction.
Typically, no. Private security guards are not peace officers unless specifically deputised or granted special authority by statute. Peace officers are usually public officials.
Because laws need to define authority broadly to cover all officials who may need to enforce them, not just members of the police department. It creates a clear, inclusive legal category.
It is very rare in contemporary British everyday English and is considered somewhat archaic. It persists mainly in historical contexts or specific, unchanged legal phrasing.
A civil officer (such as a sheriff, constable, or police officer) whose duty is to preserve public peace and order, enforce laws, and make arrests.
Peace officer is usually formal, legal, official in register.
Peace officer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpiːs ˌɒfɪsə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpiːs ˌɑːfɪsər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be sworn in as a peace officer.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an officer whose primary job is to keep the PEACE, not just fight crime.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SHIELD FOR SOCIETY (protecting communal order).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'peace officer' MOST appropriately used?