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

American special forces also go on joint patrols with the army in Niger, and France conducts extensive operations across the Sahel. — The Economist, "The fight against Islamic State is moving to Africa," 14 July 2018 And in many of those departments, officers are given take-home patrol cars; Atlanta police officers are not. — Christian Boone, ajc, "Atlanta police pay lags behind other metro cities, study says," 13 July 2018 All Precinct 1 deputies in patrol will have free gun locks available to citizens, as well, the news release says. — Victoria Cheyne, Houston Chronicle, "Free firearm safety kits to be distributed," 12 July 2018 In an email to staff and students, the office of campus safety said Wednesday that there have been three carjackings just outside the office’s patrol area in the past few weeks. — Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, "Three carjackings in recent weeks near Johns Hopkins, university says," 11 July 2018 Headed toward his patrol motorcycle and the 4Runner was a big box truck that had seemingly lost control due to excessive speed, CHP said. — Julia Sclafani, sacbee, "Out-of-control truck hits CHP motorcycle and another vehicle during traffic stop," 10 July 2018 The prosecution maintains that the pair were detained during a routine patrol, but the reporters have told their family that they were invited to dinner by members of the police force, where they were handed the documents before being arrested. — Oliver Slow / Yangon, Time, "Judge Rules That Two Reuters Journalists Detained in Myanmar Will Stand Trial," 9 July 2018 Enfield Councilor at Large Thomas Arnone said officers should be assigned to more permanent foot patrols throughout town. — Alison Kuznitz, courant.com, "Curbing Crime In Thompsonville: Civilians, Officials To Meet On Potential Block Watch," 9 July 2018 Hartman also trained Davis on projects relevant to the job and staffing issues related to the 16 patrol deputies, five detectives, five sergeants and office staff, senior volunteers and crime prevention staff at the substation. — Julie Gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Lt. Chris Davis takes charge of sheriff's Ramona substation," 3 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Police patrol the park to deter jumping into the reservoir or trespassing on watershed lands. — Bill Leukhardt, courant.com, "Teen Hurt In Cliff Fall At Ragged Mountain In Berlin," 22 June 2018 In early 1974, Broshears started directing the Panthers to patrol Folsom Street, in part because of a series of killings in the area. — Eric Markowitz, Newsweek, "The Most Dangerous Gay Man in America Fought Violence With Violence," 25 Jan. 2018 In South Texas, government agents patrol a barrier line that snakes some 500 miles along the course of the Rio Grande. — Amy Crawford, Smithsonian, "Why We Should Rethink How We Talk About “Alien” Species," 9 Jan. 2018 Midfielder Blaise Matuidi was restored to the starting lineup to patrol the left, teaming with N'Golo Kante in protecting the defense. — John Leicester, chicagotribune.com, "Five reasons why France will win the World Cup final," 14 July 2018 Village police regularly arrested people for trespassing because the department had an agreement with the Florida East Coast Railway Police to patrol the private property. — Charles Rabin, Jay Weaver And David Ovalle, miamiherald, "The chief wanted perfect stats, so cops were told to pin crimes on blacks, probe found," 12 July 2018 The reassignments brings the total number of officers assigned to patrol to 881. — Ian Duncan, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore Police assign 115 extra officers to patrol the streets in hopes of curbing overtime spending, crime," 11 July 2018 The reassignments brings the total number of officers assigned to patrol to 881. — Ian Duncan, Washington Post, "Baltimore Police assign extra officers to patrol the streets in hopes of curbing overtime spending, crime," 11 July 2018 Grass Valley office deploys two to three officers per daytime shift to patrol all of Nevada County and I-20 north to I-80. — Julia Sclafani, sacbee, "'We are at a loss': CHP is unsure why this span of highway in Grass Valley is so deadly," 6 July 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.