Definition of police
policed
;policing
transitive verb
1 archaic : govern
2 : to control, regulate, or keep in order by use of police
3 : to make clean and put in order
4a : to supervise the operation, execution, or administration of to prevent or detect and prosecute violations of rules and regulationsb : to exercise such supervision over the policies and activities of
5 : to perform the functions of a police force in or over
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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.
Origin and Etymology of police
in sense 1, from Middle French policier, from police conduct of public affairs; in other senses, from 2police
First Known Use: 1589
police
Definition of police
police
1a : the internal organization or regulation of a political unit through exercise of governmental powers especially with respect to general comfort, health, morals, safety, or prosperityb : control and regulation of affairs affecting the general order and welfare of any unit or areac : the system of laws for effecting such control
2a : the department of government concerned primarily with maintenance of public order, safety, and health and enforcement of laws and possessing executive, judicial, and legislative powersb : the department of government charged with prevention, detection, and prosecution of public nuisances and crimes
3a : police forceb plural : police officers
4a : a private organization resembling a police force campus policeb plural : the members of a private police organization
5a : the action or process of cleaning and putting in orderb : military personnel detailed to perform this function
6 : one attempting to regulate or censor a specified field or activity the fashion police
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
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
First Known Use: 1698
Other Legal Terms
POLICE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of police for English Language Learners
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: to control and keep order in (an area) by the use of police or military forces
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: to control (something) by making sure that rules and regulations are being followed
police
Definition of police for English Language Learners
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: the people or the department of people who enforce laws, investigate crimes, and make arrests
POLICE Defined for Kids
Definition of police for Students
policed
;policing
: to keep order in or among Officers police the city.
Definition of police for Students
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
Legal Definition of police
policed
policing
: to control, regulate, or keep in order especially as an official duty police the area
police
Legal Definition of police
police
1 : the control and regulation of affairs affecting the order and welfare of a political unit and its citizens
2a : the department of a government or other institution that maintains order and safety and enforces laws b : police force c pl : the members of a police force
Learn More about police
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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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