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motorcycle policeman

motorcycle policeman

1 3.5
A person who rides a motorcycle to control traffic and stop drivers going too fast
  • noun
  • /ˈmoʊtərˌsaɪkəl ˈpoʊlɪsˌmæn/
translation icon : policía motorizado
  • The film featured a thrilling chase involving a motorcycle policeman pursuing a speeding car.

Examples

  • A true Buddha: an Iranian democracy protester protecting a fallen motorcycle policeman who had just charged him and the crowd.

    Blog text (2)
  • I immediately saw four motorcycle policemen turning north on Clay Street, heading uptown.

    Blog text (6)
  • In fact, when I finish my stunt career, I intend to apply my skills to being a motorcycle policeman.

  • The smoke came from behind the hedge, and a motorcycle policeman dropped his cycle in the street and ran up the embankment...

    Fiction book (1991)
  • A motorcycle policeman helped direct traffic after the accident.

  • During the parade, a motorcycle policeman ensured the safety of the roads by stopping vehicles.

Synonyms

traffic cop
vsmotorcycle policeman
  • US
6 2.4

A police officer who directs cars and people at busy intersections

focuses on moving traffic control rather than riding or speed enforcement
motorcycle cop
vsmotorcycle policeman
  • Informal
3 3.4

A police officer who rides a motorcycle and enforces traffic laws

is the same role but specified as male
speed cop
vsmotorcycle policeman
  • US
1 4.2

A police officer who patrols roads to catch drivers going too fast

focuses on a male who specifically rides a two wheeled vehicle
motorcycle policewoman
vsmotorcycle policeman
3.5

A female police officer who rides a motorcycle to patrol and stop drivers who break traffic rules

is the same job but refers to a male officer

Surface Forms

Morphology

motorcycle + policeman

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'motorcycle' (a two-wheel motorized vehicle) with 'policeman' (a male police officer); it denotes a police officer who rides a motorcycle. This straightforward noun–noun compounding is a regular, cross-linguistically common pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Motorcycle policeman comes from the clear picture of a policeman on a motorcycle who can move quickly to 'watch traffic' and 'stop cars', so it means 'a police officer who rides a motorcycle'.