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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The department is also in the process of updating its records management systems and updating the systems in its patrol cars. Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2025 Departments reported resolving 20% of calls using drones, without sending police in patrol cars to scenes, according to the company. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025 Bundy was arrested in August 1975 after attempting to speed away from a patrol car, per the New York Times. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025 Video shows Deputy Devon Miller was searching nearby residential streets when a dog came directly to the patrol car. Mark Price, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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