police force

noun

: a body of trained officers entrusted by a government with maintenance of public peace and order, enforcement of laws, and prevention and detection of crime

Synonyms of police force

• police
• constabulary

Examples of police force in a Sentence

He joined the local police force.

mobilized practically the entire police force to track down the escaped criminal

Recent Examples on the Web

Spurred by the 2014 police shooting and ensuing unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, police forces across the country have adopted and mandated the use of body cameras, a move law enforcement experts say helps ensure safe and accountable policing. — Holmes Lybrand, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Season 5 will pick up where the finale left off and may revolve around the trio returning to the police force, once again, to solve Gordo’s murder. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026

Baglio joined the Arlington County police force in June 2024, according to the department. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

The notice is a request to police forces around the world to arrest a suspect, pending extradition. — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for police force

• bourse
• coarse
• course
• gorse
• hoarse
• horse
• norse
• source
• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce

Kids Definition

police force

noun

: a body of officers trained and entrusted by a government to keep public peace, enforce laws, and prevent and detect crime

Legal Definition

police force

noun

: a body of trained officers entrusted by a government with maintenance of public peace and order, enforcement of laws, and prevention and detection of crime