patrol car

noun

: a police automobile connected with headquarters by a two-way radio or computer : squad car
Placing an unarmed, compliant juvenile in the back of a patrol car transformed an investigatory stop into an arrest, the 9th Circuit held Aug. 24.The National Law Journal

Examples of patrol car in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Officers opened fire within about 12 seconds of getting out of their patrol cars and made no apparent effort to deescalate the situation. Martha Bellisle and Rebecca Boone, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025 Sheriff’s deputies have apprehended the 32-year-old man who allegedly eluded officers trying to arrest him, rammed a Boise police patrol car and led law enforcement on a pursuit into Kuna last week. Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2025 One crosswalk was blocked by an idling NYPD patrol car, while a cop sat inside mindlessly scrolling his phone. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025 Johnson argued the patrol car was traveling 59 mph in a 35 mph zone. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for patrol car

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of patrol car was in 1926

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Cite this Entry

“Patrol car.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patrol%20car. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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