French Conversation · Level 56
75 words
French word
commissaire
Pronunciation
IPA/komisɛʁ/
Meaning
- noun (m./f.)police chief
Example
Le commissaire est arrivé sur les lieux.
The police chief arrived at the scene.
More examples
Le commissaire de police a signé le procès-verbal.
The police commissioner signed the report.
Core concept
An official entrusted with a case, inquiry, or area, often leading a police station.
Common phrases
commissaire de police
police commissioner
Similar words
policier: A regular police officer who patrols streets and responds to calls.
gendarme: A military police officer who enforces security and traffic laws in rural areas and on highways.
inspecteur: An investigator whose main duty is handling criminal investigations.
Definition in French
Titre officiel désignant une personne investie d'autorité de contrôle ou d'enquête; couramment, le chef d'un commissariat de police.
Word origin
French commissaire comes through Old French from Latin commissarius, formed from committere, 'to entrust or assign'.
Usage tips
- Commissaire is also used for roles such as commissaire-priseur and European commissioner, so the specific compound or context matters.
Other meanings
- commissionernoun
- inspectornoun
Related words
- commissariatpolice stationnoun