officer

noun
of·​fi·​cer | \ ˈä-fə-sər How to pronounce officer (audio) , ˈȯ-\

Definition of officer

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a obsolete : agent
b : one charged with police duties
2 : one who holds an office of trust, authority, or command the officers of the bank chief executive officer
3a : one who holds a position of authority or command in the armed forces specifically : commissioned officer
b : the master or any of the mates of a merchant or passenger ship

officer

verb
officered; officering; officers

Definition of officer (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to furnish with officers
2 : to command or direct as an officer

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Synonyms for officer

Synonyms: Noun

bobby [British], bull [slang], constable [chiefly British], cop, copper, flatfoot [slang], fuzz, gendarme, lawman, policeman, police officer, shamus [slang]

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Examples of officer in a Sentence

Noun

if you are ever lost, find the nearest officer and ask for help an officer of the court

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

East Providence police said that Gray threatened an officer’s family when he was picked up on a warrant. Fox News, "Patriots' Antonio Brown signing allegedly leads to mass shooting threat from Giants fan," 10 Sep. 2019 According to Parma police, officers were called to a Verizon store at 5245 Ridge Road at 5:45 p.m. Sunday. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland.com, "Parma police catch 3 armed-robbery suspects after high-speed chase," 9 Sep. 2019 According to the statement of charges, an officer of the Westminster Police Department responded to an apartment after a reported assault. Catalina Righter, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Reisterstown man charged with assaulting woman in Westminster," 9 Sep. 2019 In addition to the Devastator and its display stand, there are also parts to build the rebel blockade runner the Tantive IV at the same scale, and two minifigs, an Imperial officer and an Imperial crew member. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "This $700 Lego Star Destroyer is as close as you’ll get to the real thing," 6 Sep. 2019 Less than an hour later, Northeastern district officers were called to the 1300 block of Glenwood Ave. for a shooting. Baltimore Sun Staff, baltimoresun.com, "Three men killed overnight in Baltimore; recent homicide victims’ names released by police," 5 Sep. 2019 Initially the sword-wielding sport offered an extracurricular activity, the kind that might look appealing to an admissions officer at Purdue University or some other college. Arika Herron, Indianapolis Star, "'It was just us four': An Indianapolis mom prepares to bury her two teenagers," 5 Sep. 2019 New York — Arrests totals in New York City have plunged in the two weeks since the police department fired an officer for the 2014 chokehold death of Eric Garner. CBS News, "NYPD arrests plunge since officer fired for chokehold death of Eric Garner," 5 Sep. 2019 Houston police Lieutenant Larry Crowson says officers were called to the restaurant Monday night after a group of people tried to order a chicken sandwich. BostonGlobe.com, "More than half of state AGs preparing probe into Google for possible antitrust violations," 4 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Three people who officers had taken into custody in the house before the shooting started were also safely evacuated, police said. Washington Post, "Philadelphia gunman identified after hourslong standoff," 15 Aug. 2019 Three people who officers had taken into custody in the house before the shooting started were also safely evacuated, police said. Fortune, "Gunman Identified After Philadelphia Shooting and Hourslong Standoff," 15 Aug. 2019 Three people who officers had taken into custody in the house before the shooting started were also safely evacuated, police said. Washington Post, "Philadelphia gunman identified after hourslong standoff," 15 Aug. 2019 Three people who officers had taken into custody in the house before the shooting started were also safely evacuated, police said. Fortune, "Gunman Identified After Philadelphia Shooting and Hourslong Standoff," 15 Aug. 2019 Three people who officers had taken into custody in the house before the shooting started were also safely evacuated, police said. Dallas News, "Suspect in custody after injuring several officers in shooting in Philadelphia, police say," 14 Aug. 2019 Clark County officers responded to a call from the Charlestown Police Department around noon about a missing person who officers believed was suicidal and had a handgun. Sarah Ladd, The Courier-Journal, "Man dies after police shooting in Southern Indiana," 16 July 2019 Peters also shared with the outlet that officers reportedly told her that Mills’ body was found in the back of a semi-truck. Joelle Goldstein, PEOPLE.com, "Kansas Teen, 17, Found Dead After Going to Help Longtime Adult Male Friend Clean His Home," 2 July 2019 That was the same day federal prosecutors say Biscayne Park officers Fernandez and Dayoub — at the direction of Atesiano — charged the teen with four previously unsolved burglaries of unoccupied homes. Charles Rabin, Jay Weaver And David Ovalle, miamiherald, "The chief wanted perfect stats, so cops were told to pin crimes on blacks, probe found," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'officer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of officer

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for officer

Noun

Middle English, "servant, agent, holder of a civil or ecclesiastical post," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin officiārius, from Latin officium "duty, office" + -ārius -er entry 2

Verb

derivative of officer entry 1

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More Definitions for officer

officer

noun

English Language Learners Definition of officer

: a member of a police force
: a person who has an important position in a company, organization, or government
: a person who has a position of authority or command in the military

officer

noun
of·​fi·​cer | \ ˈȯ-fə-sər How to pronounce officer (audio) \

Kids Definition of officer

1 : a person given the responsibility of enforcing the law a police officer
2 : a person who holds a position of authority an officer of the company
3 : a person who holds a commission in the military His father is an officer in the navy.