police

¹po·lice

verb \pə-ˈlēs\

po·licedpo·lic·ing

Definition of POLICE

transitive verb

1

archaic : govern

2

: to control, regulate, or keep in order by use of police

3

: to make clean and put in order

4

a : to supervise the operation, execution, or administration of to prevent or detect and prosecute violations of rules and regulations b : to exercise such supervision over the policies and activities of

5

: to perform the functions of a police force in or over

Examples of POLICE

1. The officers police the streets for reckless drivers.
2. The coast is policed by the military.
3. The international agency polices the development of atomic energy facilities.

Origin of POLICE

in sense 1, from Middle French policier, from police conduct of public affairs; in other senses, from ²police

First Known Use: 1589

Rhymes with POLICE

apiece, at peace, Burmese, camise, caprice, cassis, cerise, chemise, Chinese, Cochise, codpiece, coulisse, crosspiece, decease, decrease, degrease, Dumfries, earpiece, eyepiece, fieldpiece, grandniece, hairpiece, headpiece, heelpiece, increase, lend-lease, Maltese, Matisse, Maurice, mouthpiece, nosepiece, obese, one-piece, pastis, pelisse, re-lease, release, seapiece, set piece, shankpiece, showpiece, sidepiece, stringpiece, sublease, surcease, tailpiece, think piece, timepiece, toepiece, three-piece, two-piece, valise, wool grease, workpiece