patrol

1 of 3

noun (1)

pa·​trol pə-ˈtrōl 

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

patrol

2 of 3

verb

patrolled; patrolling

intransitive verb

: to carry out a patrol

transitive verb

: to carry out a patrol of

patroller noun

patroller

3 of 3

noun (2)

pa·​trol·​ler

-lə(r)

plural -s

: one that patrols : a member of a patrol

Examples of patrol in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The guard makes a patrol of the building every hour.

Soldiers are on patrol along the border.

Army patrols combed the area.

Verb

The squad had orders to patrol the area.

The border is patrolled by the army.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Misool Foundation manages ranger patrols staffed largely by locals who once worked alongside the dynamite-blasters. — Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

This summer, four officers from the traffic unit were moved into vacant positions in regular patrol and investigative units, and their former positions were eliminated. — Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Verb

Despite countless protests and pushback, ICE agents continue to patrol the streets. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

This season, Roccaforte patrolled center field in Double-A Northwest Arkansas and in Triple-A Omaha. — Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1648, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing patrol

• foot patrol
• patrol car
• patrol wagon
• shore patrol
• ski patrol

Rhymes for patrol

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol

Kids Definition

patrol

1 of 2 noun

pa·​trol pə-ˈtrōl 

1

a

: the action of going the rounds of an area for observation or guard

b

: the person or group doing the patrolling

2

: a part of a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop

patrol

2 of 2 verb

patrolled; patrolling

: to carry out a patrol or a patrol of

patroller noun