In Britain and some other countries, a constable is a police officer of the lowest rank.
He was a constable at Sutton police station.
...Constable Stuart Clark.
Thanks for your help, Constable.
2. See also Chief Constable
3. countable noun & title noun
In the United States, a constable is an official who helps keep the peace in a town. They are lower in rank than a sheriff.
constable in British English
(ˈkʌnstəbəl, ˌkɒn-)
noun
1.
(in Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, etc) a police officer of the lowest rank
2.
any of various officers of the peace, esp one who arrests offenders, serves writs, etc
3.
the keeper or governor of a royal castle or fortress
4.
(in medieval Europe) the chief military officer and functionary of a royal household, esp in France and England
5.
an officer of a hundred in medieval England, originally responsible for raising the military levy but later assigned other administrative duties
Derived forms
constableship (ˈconstableˌship)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French, from Late Latin comes stabulī officer in charge of the stable, from Latin comes comrade + stabulum dwelling, stable; see also count2
Constable in British English
(ˈkʌnstəbəl)
noun
John. 1776–1837, English landscape painter, noted particularly for his skill in rendering atmospheric effects of changing light
Constable in American English
(ˈkʌnstəbəl; ˈkɑnstəbəl)
John1776-1837; Eng. landscape painter
constable in American English
(ˈkɑnstəbəl; British ˈkʌnstəbəl)
noun
1.
in the Middle Ages, the highest-ranking official of a royal household, court, etc.
2.
the warden or keeper of a royal fortress or castle
3.
a peace officer in a town or village, with powers somewhat more limited than those of a sheriff
4. Chiefly British
a police officer
Word origin
ME < OFr conestable < LL comes stabuli, lit., count of the stable, hence chief groom < L comes, companion, fellow (see count2) + stabulum, stable2
Examples of 'constable' in a sentence
constable
The unarmed police constables who stopped him said he told them that he was a political activist.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The officers range in rank from constable to inspector.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It only survives because most of the rank and file carry on in spite of the quality of chief constables.
The Sun (2016)
Criminal proceedings involving the three police constables will now be commenced and each has a right to a fair trial.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Shortly afterwards the fire brigade arrived, and a detachment of special constables.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Government cuts have forced chief constables to ditch more than 17,000 officers in six years.
The Sun (2016)
ARE our chief constables going quite potty?
The Sun (2016)
I had also been a public figure in Merseyside and had risen to the rank of chief constable.
The Sun (2016)
A former special constable, he added that the public held dogs in higher regard than human police officers.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Officers under investigation range in rank from constables to inspectors.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Those sections did not require the appointment of the relevant council officers as constables.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
That should give chief constables paws for thought.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Chief constables said criminals were targeting the internet as an area to commit crime.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
My daughter police constable rang me tonight almost in tears at the lack of balance shown in this report.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The agent must have relished the moment because he devoted much of his spare time to working as a special constable.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Does the assistant chief constable convince?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They had found the two retired police constables who had originally arrested Smith.
Colin Beavan FINGERPRINTS: Murder and the Race to Uncover the Science of Identity (2002)
Some town halls do offer discounts for special constables, army reservists and poorer families.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Chief constables are calling a national meeting in an attempt to cut days lost from stress and save millions from their stretched budgets.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
PLANS to recruit hospital staff to patrol their own wards as special constables sparked fury yesterday.
The Sun (2012)
A special constable has resigned after being involved in a fatal crash while on her phone.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
His e-mail asked if assistant chief constables and ranks above were eligible for cash bonuses on crime performance statistics.
The Sun (2008)
At present all police must enter at constable rank and it can take up to 25 years to reach the top.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You can be a fitness instructor or a police constable at the age of 18 without any need for a degree.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Yet academic entry requirements remain relatively modest and it takes an average of 17 years to progress from constable to inspector rank.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Or is a PCT a police constable in training?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
A sergeant was fired in May and two constables remain on police bail.
The Sun (2011)
In Bedfordshire inspectors discovered that only one police constable was responsible for reviewing high-risk cases.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Under the Act, investigators in an independent investigation have the powers of a police constable.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There will also be a push for more people to become special constables or join Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
The Sun (2010)
The ex vice squad cop was suspended - and yesterday a Met disciplinary panel reduced his rank to detective constable.
The Sun (2008)
The chief officers of the future will be drawn from these new high-flyers, as well as from the most able who joined as constables.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Quite a lot, according to new figures showing a 62 per cent leap in corruption allegations against officers right up to chief constable rank.
The Sun (2012)
All related terms of 'constable'
chief constable
A Chief Constable is the officer who is in charge of the police force in a particular county or area in Britain.
police constable
A police constable is a police officer of the lowest rank.
special constable
a person recruited for temporary or occasional police duties , esp in time of emergency
detective constable
a police officer who investigates crime and who is of the lowest rank