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

Trespassing An officers on patrol at 12:46 a.m. July 1 noticed a vehicle with its front door open had been gone through on the 400 block of Western Avenue. — Pioneer Press, chicagotribune.com, "Police blotter: Five cars entered in one night in Western Springs," 12 July 2018 The two troopers were on patrol in a yellow Ford Mustang, an unmarked vehicle generally used to target aggressive drivers, DPS said. — Brieanna J Frank, azcentral, "DPS: Man impersonating officer arrested after attempting to pull over troopers," 12 July 2018 While on patrol in the area of U.S. 30 and Schoolhouse Road in New Lenox, a sheriff’s deputy spotted the vehicle, a white Chevrolet Impala, heading west on U.S. 30, police said. — Mike Nolan, Daily Southtown, "Orland Park man dies after car found wrecked in ditch, police say," 10 July 2018 On July 29, 2010 while serving in Afghanistan, Hayward was severely wounded while out on patrol. — Edgar Thompson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Patriotism gets big boost at Daytona," 8 July 2018 Life Jacket Buys Time for Rescue On June 9 while on patrol, Cameron County game wardens responded to a distress call in the bay near South Padre Island. — Houston Chronicle, "Game warden field notes," 1 July 2018 The officers, who were on patrol, said Mr. Diallo fit the description of a serial rapist. — Timothy Williams, New York Times, "$16 Million vs. $4: In Fatal Police Shootings, Payouts Vary Widely," 28 June 2018 According to a statement released Tuesday, an officer on patrol Monday around 9:42 p.m. heard what sounded like gunfire and then saw muzzle flashes. — Frank Abderholden, Lake County News-Sun, "1 injured in Zion shooting, police say," 19 June 2018 Deputies on patrol in the area of Kempf Street and Lincoln Avenue saw a blue Toyota Corolla being driven by the suspect and attempted to pull him over near the intersection of Kempf Street and Broadway around 2 p.m., Sheriff's Sgt. — City News Service, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Suspect arrested after short pursuit ends in Spring Valley," 19 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The seagoing defense forces are backed on land by Prohibition forces and the Customs agents, who not only patrol the landing places along the coast but guard the thousands of miles of Canadian and Mexican frontiers. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "Rewind: What Guarding Uncle Sam's Borders Was Like in 1925," 11 Feb. 2019 Other regional experts have questioned the concept of a buffer zone and who would patrol it. — John Hudson, The Seattle Times, "Trump’s vow to ‘devastate’ Turkey’s economy rattles negotiations over Syria," 14 Jan. 2019 Never has Auburn played in the Final Four, not even with Charles Barkley patrolling the paint. — Dave Skretta, The Seattle Times, "Red-hot Auburn meets tradition-rich Kentucky for Final Four," 30 Mar. 2019 Meanwhile, troopers have been locked in a turf war with Boston Police over patrolling the Seaport District, a task that is heavily reliant on overtime and detail pay, which boosts the ultimate take-home compensation for troopers. — Kay Lazar, BostonGlobe.com, "Records reveal trooper posts that are overtime all the time," 23 June 2018 Both are top defensive athletes, with Gismondi patrolling the outfield and McKeown serving as the team’s catcher. — Phil Anastasia, Philly.com, "Baseball: Seniors Mike Gismondi and Darren McKeown show the way for West Deptford," 16 May 2018 State police and National Guard will patrol Charlottesville and parts of Northern Virginia during the weekend. — Cameron Mcwhirter, WSJ, "A Year After Charlottesville, the Alt-Right Movement Frays," 8 Aug. 2018 The sheriff's office, police department, and coast guard will also be patrolling the Lake Michigan waters. — Ahmed Elbenni, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Hoan Bridge and other lanes to be closed ahead of Milwaukee's July 3 fireworks display," 2 July 2018 The Michigan State Police is warning drivers: a traffic enforcement detail will be patrolling the John C. Lodge Freeway at Wyoming Avenue in Detroit today looking for bad drivers. — Detroit Free Press Staff, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State Police targeting bad drivers on Lodge Freeway today," 28 June 2018

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.