policewoman
B1Neutral to formal; gender-specific term, though increasingly giving way to the gender-neutral "police officer."
Definition
Meaning
A female officer in a police force.
A woman who holds the authority to enforce laws, maintain public order, prevent and detect crime, and arrest offenders. The term specifically denotes gender, distinguishing her from male colleagues (policemen).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is compound: 'police' + 'woman.' It carries no inherent connotation of rank. In modern policing, there is a strong preference for gender-neutral terms like "officer" in official communications.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term. US English may use "police officer" or "cop" more frequently in everyday speech to avoid gender specification.
Connotations
Slightly dated in both varieties due to the shift toward inclusive language. It explicitly highlights gender, which can be relevant or irrelevant depending on context.
Frequency
Declining in formal/official use in favor of "police officer." Still common in narrative contexts where gender is pertinent.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The policewoman arrested the suspect.A policewoman was called to the scene.She works as a policewoman.He spoke to the policewoman.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A few good men (and women) – (adapted from military/police recruitment).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, unless in HR contexts discussing recruitment or diversity in law enforcement.
Academic
Used in sociological, criminological, or gender studies contexts discussing representation in law enforcement.
Everyday
Common when gender is relevant to a story or description (e.g., 'A policewoman helped us find our lost dog.').
Technical
Used in legal reports or witness statements to specify the officer's gender, though "officer" is often preferred.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The policewoman directed traffic around the accident.
- My neighbour is a retired policewoman.
American English
- A policewoman took our statement after the break-in.
- She aspired to be a policewoman like her aunt.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The policewoman is wearing a uniform.
- Look, a policewoman!
- A policewoman asked us for identification.
- She wants to become a policewoman when she grows up.
- The experienced policewoman calmly negotiated with the distressed individual.
- Several policewomen were commended for their bravery during the incident.
- The pioneering policewoman faced significant sexism but rose to become the head of her division.
- The study analysed the career progression rates of policemen versus policewomen.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'woman' in 'police' uniform. The word is a simple compound, making its meaning very transparent.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS GENDERED (an increasingly contested metaphor as language moves toward neutrality).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation "полицейская" (police-skaya) exists and is correct, but note the shift in English toward neutral terms. Using 'policewoman' when gender is unimportant might sound oddly specific.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'policewoman' as a generic term for any police officer. Using 'policewomen' as a singular noun.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST gender-neutral and modern term?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is grammatically correct and accurately describes a female police officer. However, in official and many everyday contexts, the gender-neutral 'police officer' is strongly preferred.
The plural is 'policewomen' (/pəˈliːsˌwɪmɪn/).
It is not typically offensive, but it can be seen as outdated or unnecessarily emphasizing gender. Using her rank ('Sergeant', 'Detective') or 'officer' is often considered more professional.
'WPC' stands for 'Woman Police Constable,' a specific rank used historically in UK forces. It is an official title, whereas 'policewoman' is a general descriptive term.
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