police force

noun

Synonyms of police forcenext
: a body of trained officers entrusted by a government with maintenance of public peace and order, enforcement of laws, and prevention and detection of crime

Examples of police force in a Sentence

He joined the local police force. mobilized practically the entire police force to track down the escaped criminal
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Stonington officials attribute much of the additional spending to bridge repairs, road paving and expansion of the police force. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026 But in a democracy, the people’s institutions control the police forces at all levels. Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026 The Wide Awakes were seen in the South more as a paramilitary unit than as a civilian police force. Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026 The courtroom was packed with uniformed members of the Miami police force, who quickly shuffled out of the courtroom as Womble was fingerprinted. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for police force

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of police force was in 1820

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Police force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/police%20force. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

police force

noun
: a body of officers trained and entrusted by a government to keep public peace, enforce laws, and prevent and detect crime

Legal Definition

police force

noun
: a body of trained officers entrusted by a government with maintenance of public peace and order, enforcement of laws, and prevention and detection of crime
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