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

China's assertive activities and excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea have been challenged by the United States, which has deployed warships to conduct freedom of navigation operations and patrols with allies and partners, including the Philippines. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

Haverhill's mayor said the city is negotiating with the patrol officers union to get the cameras. —Cheryl Fiandaca, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025

Verb

Fletcher said his agency patrols six cities that contract with the county, and that Immigration and Customs Enforcement could eventually show up in one of them — like Arden Hills, Little Canada or Vadnais Heights. —Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 3 Dec. 2025

The first phase of the program patrolled approximately 30% of the streets, primarily near former OLIVE sites, emergency interim housing communities and supported parking locations. —Devan Patel, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025

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