Definition

1. Noun:
   • A police officer stationed at an intersection to direct traffic: A "pointsman" is a police officer whose duty is to control the flow of vehicles at a road junction, typically using hand signals.
   • (Railways, chiefly British) A person who operates railway points/switches: In rail transport, a "pointsman" is a worker responsible for manually changing the points (switches) that guide trains from one track to another.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Traffic):
  • The pointsman efficiently managed the busy intersection after the traffic lights failed.
  • Drivers should follow the signals given by the pointsman.
• Noun (Railways):
  • The old signal box was manned by a pointsman who controlled the track switches.
  • The train waited for the pointsman to change the points before proceeding onto the branch line.

Advanced Usage

• The term is more commonly used in British English. In American English, a traffic officer is more likely to be called a "traffic cop" or "crossing guard" for a school context, while a railway worker performing this function might be called a "switchman" or "signalman."
• In modern contexts, especially regarding traffic, the role of a "pointsman" has largely been replaced by automated traffic lights, making the term somewhat dated.

Variants and Related Words

• Pointswoman (n): A female police officer or railway worker performing the same duties. (e.g., )
• Points (n): The movable rails or the mechanism in railway tracks that allows a train to be directed from one line to another.
• Signalman (n): A railway employee responsible for operating signals and sometimes points.

Synonyms

• Traffic policeman/officer: For the traffic control meaning.
• Switchman (US), Shunter (UK): For the railway meaning.
• Crossing guard: Specifically for someone who helps pedestrians, often children, cross the road safely near schools.

Related Phrases

• To man the points: To be stationed and operating the railway switches.
  • During the emergency, an experienced worker was called to man the points.
• On point duty: A phrase describing a police officer's assignment to direct traffic at an intersection.
  • The constable was on point duty during the morning rush hour.

Noun

1. a policeman stationed at an intersection to direct traffic