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
The National Law JournalExamples of patrol car in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Travis and his trainee arrived in a patrol car, the suit said, as Setzer kept fleeing with his back to the officers.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
Video shared about 6 p.m. by the Sheriff’s Office on social media showed him being placed in the back of a patrol car in handcuffs.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Two officers had bought a pizza and were parked side-by-side in their patrol cars at the dead end of Missouri Avenue when the gunman, who was also parked at the dead end, opened fire, Failing said.
—Phil Helsel, NBC news, 23 July 2025
The dramatic encounter took place on duty while at a Quick Trip gas station to fill up his patrol car's tank, Cpl. Lee Higginbotham told USA TODAY on Tuesday, July 22.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for patrol car
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
Video shared about 6 p.m. by the Sheriff’s Office on social media showed him being placed in the back of a patrol car in handcuffs.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Two officers had bought a pizza and were parked side-by-side in their patrol cars at the dead end of Missouri Avenue when the gunman, who was also parked at the dead end, opened fire, Failing said.
—Phil Helsel, NBC news, 23 July 2025
The dramatic encounter took place on duty while at a Quick Trip gas station to fill up his patrol car's tank, Cpl. Lee Higginbotham told USA TODAY on Tuesday, July 22.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for patrol car
Cite this Entry
“Patrol car.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patrol%20car. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share