patrol

noun

pa·trol | \ pə-ˈtrōl

Definition of patrol

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

verb

patrolled; patrolling

Definition of patrol (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to carry out a patrol

transitive verb

: to carry out a patrol of

Other Words from patrol Example Sentences Learn More About patrol

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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 On a Friday evening, six Angels assembled in front of a bank on Canal Street for a patrol of Chinatown and its environs. — Bruce Handy, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2021 Authorities quickly identified the suspect, and patrol and K-9 units mounted a search. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 8 Oct. 2021 In response to the October 1 events, Taiwan had combat air patrol fighters monitor the aircraft. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 6 Oct. 2021 Vista patrol station at (760) 940-4551, or San Diego County Crime Stoppers’ anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. — Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Oct. 2021 Police questioned a man seen looking into police patrol vehicles parked at the Medina Police Department at 10:37 a.m. Oct. 2. — Brian Lisik, cleveland, 5 Oct. 2021 On Friday, a staggering 18 J-16 fighters, four Su-30 fighters, two H-6 bombers and a Y-8 patrol plane flew south of Taiwan. — David Axe, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2021 Authorities allege a patrol sergeant saw Modawi doing doughnuts, or driving in circles, while in a white Infiniti G37 and leaving tire tracks on the pavement in a parking lot. — Chron, 4 Oct. 2021 A day filled with games and activities for children, free hot dogs and hamburgers, pumpkin decorating, balloon animals, games, and mounted patrol horses. — BostonGlobe.com, 30 Sep. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Under a contract addendum approved last week the new deputies will patrol exclusively in Liberty Township. — Sue Kiesewetter, The Enquirer, 13 Oct. 2021 Taliban fighters in pickup trucks now patrol roads dotted with banners that proclaim the nation free of foreign troops. — Sudarsan Raghavan, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Oct. 2021 As part of their efforts to protect more women and girls, the police will add an extra 650 new officers to patrol areas. — Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2021 Police Chief Bill Scott sent the email to the department staff Wednesday, advising them that 41 employees — 10 sergeants and 31 officers — would be transferred from support duties to patrol assignments. — Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Sep. 2021 In other words, friendly fighters would patrol between the E-3s and other high-value planes in order to block enemy jets. — David Axe, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2021 Members of Taliban forces patrol a street in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sunday. — NBC News, 3 Sep. 2021 San Diego’s city lifeguards patrol 23 miles of ocean coastline and 18 miles of bayfront coastline. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2021 The police chief recommended he be demoted to patrol officer effective January, but his rank stayed the same through a settlement process. — Lisa J. Huriash, sun-sentinel.com, 6 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'patrol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.