police

play

verb po·lice \pə-ˈlēs\

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

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.

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

noun, often attributive po·lice

Definition of police

plural

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

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

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

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

POLICE Defined for English Language Learners

police

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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

play

verb po·lice \pə-ˈlēs\

Definition of police for Students

policed

;

policing

: to keep order in or among Officers police the city.

police

play

noun po·lice

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 po·lice

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
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