patrol

1 of 2

noun

pa·​trol pə-ˈtrōl 

1

a

: the action of traversing a district or beat or of going the rounds along a chain of guards for observation or the maintenance of security

b

: the person performing such an action

c

: a unit of persons or vehicles employed for reconnaissance, security, or combat

2

: a subdivision of a Boy Scout troop or Girl Scout troop

patrol

2 of 2

verb

patrolled; patrolling

intransitive verb

: to carry out a patrol

transitive verb

: to carry out a patrol of

patroller noun

Examples of patrol in a Sentence

Noun

The guard makes a patrol of the building every hour.

Soldiers are on patrol along the border.

Army patrols combed the area.

Verb

The squad had orders to patrol the area.

The border is patrolled by the army.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Guard members, clearly distinguished by their military fatigues, have been seen walking throughout downtown Memphis on patrols and directing traffic during events. — Lucas Finton, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Jackson certainly knows the challenges of eating well while working on patrol, with sometimes just a few minutes for a meal and only fast-food options available. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2026

Verb

Thousands of armed National Guard troops from nearly two dozen states have been patrolling residential and commercial neighborhoods for months. — Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 11 July 2026

Nevertheless, nearly every Saturday during the summer, the Regional Parks boat team will be patrolling the river, providing immediate support to those who might become stranded, Tzikas said. — Reeti Malhotra july 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

French patrouiller, from Middle French, to tramp around in the mud, from patte paw — more at patten

First Known Use

Noun

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing patrol

• foot patrol
• patrol car
• patrol wagon
• shore patrol
• ski patrol

Rhymes for patrol

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol

Kids Definition

patrol

1 of 2 noun

pa·​trol pə-ˈtrōl 

1

a

: the action of going the rounds of an area for observation or guard

b

: the person or group doing the patrolling

2

: a part of a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop

patrol

2 of 2 verb

patrolled; patrolling

: to carry out a patrol or a patrol of

patroller noun