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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Some among the witnesses reported the officer was unconscious in the patrol car, but that has not yet been confirmed by police, Hampton said. Mark Price, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025 Officers described the shrapnel that dented the patrol car as being two inches by a half-inch. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025 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 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 27 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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