police

verb po·lice \ pə-ˈlēs \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of police

policed; policing

1 archaic : govern

2 : to control, regulate, or keep in order by use of police

3 : to make clean and put in order

4 a : to supervise the operation, execution, or administration of to prevent or detect and prosecute violations of rules and regulations

b : to exercise such supervision over the policies and activities of

5 : to perform the functions of a police force in or over

See police defined for English-language learners

See police defined for kids

Examples of police in a Sentence

The officers police the streets for reckless drivers.
The coast is policed by the military.
The international agency polices the development of atomic energy facilities.

Recent Examples of police from the Web

Some whites readily stand up on our behalf and are partners in our quest for a more just policing.

— dahleen glanton, chicagotribune.com, "White anger over arrest of two black men at Starbucks is long overdue," 17 Apr. 2018
Faison is focusing on accountability in Clark's shooting, upcoming elections for the sheriff and district attorney, and statewide legislation on policing reforms, among other items.

— anita chabria, sacbee, "These five activists are keeping the peace in Sacramento in the wake of Stephon Clark | The Sacramento Bee," 13 Apr. 2018
Arming more campus-security forces—broadening the group of people with guns policing college students—risks exacerbating an ongoing national crisis.

— adam harris, The Atlantic, "When a College Employee Shoots a Student," 9 Apr. 2018
Derbyshire is only one of many writers expelled by National Review, a magazine which, since its founding by William F. Buckley in 1955, has seen itself as policing ideological discourse on the political right.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "National Review’s Own Struggle With “Ideological Diversity”," 6 Apr. 2018
Spider Thieves This Chilean drama centers on a giant shantytown erected on the outskirts of Santiago in 1999, where some 1,750 families set up their own water, electricity, and policing while the government dithered over what to do about them.

— ben sachs, Chicago Reader, "The wall’s gonna fall at the Chicago Latino Film Festival," 5 Apr. 2018
Police have expanded community policing efforts in the Buckland area to try and reduce retail theft.

— jesse leavenworth, Courant Community, "Report Shows Growing Pressure On Manchester To Maintain Services As Population Increases," 2 Apr. 2018
Among the questions: -- What can police do about weapons in the home that are not owned by the subject of the order?

— rafael olmeda, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Police begin to seize guns while questions remain about new law," 30 Mar. 2018
At the compound, policed found Coltharp’s parents and his two sons, according to a press release obtained by PEOPLE.

— christine pelisek, PEOPLE.com, "Two Members of Utah Doomsday Sect Allegedly Married Each Other's 7- and 8-Year-Old Daughters," 15 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'police.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of police

in sense 1, from Middle French policier, from police conduct of public affairs; in other senses, from ²police

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1589

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

police

noun, often attributive

Definition of police

plural police

1 a : the internal organization or regulation of a political unit through exercise of governmental powers especially with respect to general comfort, health, morals, safety, or prosperity

b : control and regulation of affairs affecting the general order and welfare of any unit or area

c : the system of laws for effecting such control

2 a : the department of government concerned primarily with maintenance of public order, safety, and health and enforcement of laws and possessing executive, judicial, and legislative powers

b : the department of government charged with prevention, detection, and prosecution of public nuisances and crimes

3 a : police force

b plural : police officers

4 a : a private organization resembling a police force

campus police

b plural : the members of a private police organization

5 a : the action or process of cleaning and putting in order

b : military personnel detailed to perform this function

6 : one attempting to regulate or censor a specified field or activity

the fashion police

See police defined for English-language learners

Examples of police in a Sentence

Police arrested a man whom they identified as the murderer.
the appearance of a ransom note meant that the teenager's disappearance was now a matter for the police

Recent Examples of police from the Web

He was taken to Sinai Grace Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

— allie gross, Detroit Free Press, "Man fatally shot outside Detroit bar near O'Reilly Auto Parts slaying," 5 Nov. 2017
The first victim, Tony Anthony Mason Jr., 40, was found with gunshot wounds to his body, according to police.

— baltimore sun staff, baltimoresun.com, "Off-duty Washington, D.C., police officer killed in West Baltimore," 4 Nov. 2017
An 87-year-old woman who was struck by a car in Meriden Thursday night has died, police said.

— christine dempsey, courant.com, "Meriden PD: 87-Year-Old Woman Struck By Car Has Died," 3 Nov. 2017
The incident occurred after an argument at a deli erupted in gunfire, police said at the time.

— char adams, PEOPLE.com, "Rapper Fetty Wap Arrested for Alleged Drag Racing and DUI in New York," 3 Nov. 2017
Photos of an armed teen in the distinctive hoodie who was suspected of shooting an ATM customer prompted a wave of tips — and 18 hours later he was arrested in Lauderhill, police said.

— linda trischitta, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Teen accused in 'Kill Batman' ATM slaying," 3 Nov. 2017
Cosentino pointed out that $45 million of the budget is police, $30 million for the fire department and $18 million for public works.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin to unveil proposed 2018 budget Wednesday," 2 Nov. 2017
The couple told police on Wednesday that their family survived on fruits and river water before being saved.

— matt pearce, latimes.com, "L.A. family disappears after pirate raid in Amazon rainforest, then re-emerges on a surfboard," 2 Nov. 2017
His vehicle was struck in the incident, police said.

— Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora police look for information on two shootings," 1 Nov. 2017

Origin and Etymology of police

French, from Old French, from Late Latin politia government, administration, from Greek politeia, from politēs citizen, from polis city, state; akin to Sanskrit pur rampart, Lithuanian pilis castle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1698

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

police Synonyms

Synonyms

constabulary, force, heat [slang], police force;

Related Words

bobby [British], constable, cop, copper, gendarme, officer, policeman, police officer, policewoman, shamus [slang], trooper;

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

POLICE Defined for English Language Learners

police

verb

Definition of police for English Language Learners

: to control and keep order in (an area) by the use of police or military forces
: to control (something) by making sure that rules and regulations are being followed

police

noun

Definition of police for English Language Learners

: the people or the department of people who enforce laws, investigate crimes, and make arrests

POLICE Defined for Kids

police

verb po·lice \ pə-ˈlēs \

Definition of police for Students

policed; policing

: to keep order in or among

Officers police the city.

police

noun

Definition of police for Students

plural police

1 : the department of government that keeps order and enforces law, investigates crimes, and makes arrests

2 police plural : members of a police force

Word Root of police

The Greek word polis, meaning “city” or “community,” and the related word polītēs, meaning “citizen,” give us the roots polis and polit. Words from Greek polis and polītēs have something to do with cities or communities or the citizens who live in them. A metropolis is the most important city in an area. The police are a group that enforces the law so as to protect citizens. Politics is the science and art of governing citizens.

Law Dictionary

police

transitive verb po·lice

legal Definition of police

policed; policing

: to control, regulate, or keep in order especially as an official duty

police the area

police

noun

legal Definition of police

plural police

1 : the control and regulation of affairs affecting the order and welfare of a political unit and its citizens

2 a : the department of a government or other institution that maintains order and safety and enforces laws

b : police force

c plural : the members of a police force

Learn More about police

See words that rhyme with police Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for police Spanish Central: Translation of police Nglish: Translation of police for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of police for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about police

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Definition of police

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Origin and Etymology of police

police

Definition of police

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Origin and Etymology of police

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Synonyms

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POLICE Defined for English Language Learners

police

Definition of police for English Language Learners

police

Definition of police for English Language Learners

POLICE Defined for Kids

police

Definition of police for Students

police

Definition of police for Students

Word Root of police

Law Dictionary

police

legal Definition of police

police

legal Definition of police

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