patrol

noun pa·trol \ pə-ˈtrōl \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of patrol

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

See patrol defined for English-language learners

See patrol defined for kids

Examples of patrol in a Sentence

The guard makes a patrol of the building every hour.
Soldiers are on patrol along the border.
Army patrols combed the area.

Recent Examples of patrol from the Web

The patrol car was found submerged in a lake about two weeks later.

— wayne k. roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Thief nabs cop car; cops nab suspect," 7 Apr. 2018
Backing up border patrol agents, according to the secretary of defense.

— Fox News, "Rep. Ron DeSantis on the fight to get info from the DOJ," 6 Apr. 2018
According to the National Guard, its soldiers and airmen served as a force multiplier for the border patrol agents on the ground, spotting border intrusions and offering technical support.

— kathryn watson, CBS News, "U.S. military at the Mexican border wouldn't be unprecedented," 3 Apr. 2018
Some Howard County Council members and the county’s NAACP chapter are expressing concern over the police department’s announcement last week that patrol officers have been ordered to make daily stops and go inside schools on their beats.

— kate magill, Columbia Flier, "Stepped-up police patrols for Howard schools drawing questions, concerns," 28 Mar. 2018
In addition to the gang crimes unit, Jensen also served on the narcotics unit and as a patrol officer.

— janelle walker, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin cop who fatally shot woman has been target of complaints but cleared of wrongdoing," 27 Mar. 2018
Some policemen from the Hall of Justice, cruising in patrol cars, stopped their machines at grocery stores and bought cases of soap.

— johnny miller, San Francisco Chronicle, "Corpse found in crawl space near Tenderloin restaurant, 1993," 14 Mar. 2018
Havre de Grace Police were positioned – in marked and unmarked patrol cars and on foot – at different spots adjacent to campus, which is bisected by Congress Avenue.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Havre de Grace, John Carroll students walk out to honor Florida shooting victims," 14 Mar. 2018
The monitoring zone would be about 150 feet wide and alert patrol agents if anyone breached the initial border barrier.

— dartunorro clark, NBC News, "Trump visits California to see wall prototypes near Mexico border," 13 Mar. 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.

First Known Use of patrol

1664

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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patrol

verb

Definition of patrol

patrolled; patrolling

intransitive verb

: to carry out a patrol

transitive verb

: to carry out a patrol of

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patroller

noun

See patrol defined for English-language learners

Examples of patrol in a Sentence

The squad had orders to patrol the area.
The border is patrolled by the army.

Recent Examples of patrol from the Web

This case should serve as a wake up call to US Border patrol and National Guard patrolling the Mexico-US border.

— ruth eglash, Washington Post, "A Palestinian protester was shot by Israeli snipers. One celebrating soldier called it a ‘legendary clip’," 10 Apr. 2018
Their duties include: vacation checks on the homes of Ramona residents, enforcement of violations of disabled parking spaces, contacts with and visits to homebound seniors who live alone, and patrolling shopping centers, schools and neighborhoods.

— Ramona Sentinel, "Sheriff's senior volunteers welcome new recruits," 4 Apr. 2018
With this change, the Troop F funding arrangement mirrors that of Troop E, which patrols the Mass Pike and is funded by MassDOT.

— BostonGlobe.com, "State Police will pay Troop F directly, disclose missing records to comptroller," 28 Mar. 2018
While in Rajneeshpuram, Ostrom went to meetings, where men armed with assault-style rifles patrolled the stage around the Bhagwan and talked to followers and Antelope residents.

— paige cornwell, The Seattle Times, "‘Sex kits’ and assault weapons: how The Seattle Times covered Rajneeshees, cult in Netflix’s ‘Wild Wild Country’," 23 Mar. 2018
Another deputy was sent to replace him and patrol the building.

— christal hayes, USA TODAY, "Deputy suspended for sleeping on site of Florida school mass murder," 20 Mar. 2018
Italy pleaded with other countries in Europe to help share the burden, both by patrolling the waters and accepting a portion of the migrants sheltered in reception centers.

— author: jason horowitz, Anchorage Daily News, "Italy’s populist forces gain as voters reject Eurocentric political establishment," 5 Mar. 2018
Italy pleaded with other countries in Europe to help share the burden, both by patrolling the waters and accepting a portion of the migrants sheltered in reception centers.

— jason horowitz, New York Times, "In Italy Election, Anti-E.U. Views Pay Off for Far Right and Populists," 4 Mar. 2018
China’s growing military strength is fueling defense spending increases from Japan to India, while Taiwan has warned that expanded People’s Liberation Army patrols risk destabilizing the region.

— Bloomberg.com, "World Braces for More Rule-Bending by China’s Xi," 26 Feb. 2018

Origin and Etymology of patrol

French patrouiller, from Middle French, to tramp around in the mud, from patte paw — more at patten

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1648

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

PATROL Defined for English Language Learners

patrol

noun

Definition of patrol for English Language Learners

: the act of walking or going around or through an area, building, etc., in order to make sure that it is safe : the act of patrolling an area
: a group of people, vehicles, etc., that go through an area to make sure that it is safe : a group that patrols an area