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
patrolled; patrolling
: to carry out a patrol
: to carry out a patrol of
patroller
noun
Examples of patrol in a Sentence
Noun
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
ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
He's now been involved with the patrol in many different positions since then but has been the chief for about 17 years.
—Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The program of patrolling tow trucks should also help cover those needs, officials said.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patrol
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Noun
Police said that officers on patrol in the Wembley area of north London on Wednesday night responded to reports of a burning container thrown toward a building.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
He's now been involved with the patrol in many different positions since then but has been the chief for about 17 years.
—Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
As rumors have flown about this relentless Sacramento parking enforcement officer, Nakamura has quietly patrolled the streets, outdoing himself.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The program of patrolling tow trucks should also help cover those needs, officials said.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patrol
Cite this Entry
“Patrol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patrol. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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