police force

noun

Synonyms of police forcenext
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Crime groups are embedded in many local police forces and have assumed a growing role in the economy. Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026 In other business, the commission learned two veteran law enforcement officers who are serving elsewhere have accepted offers to join the Chesterton police force. Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026 One part of his strategy has involved deputizing some local and state police forces through a decades-old federal program. Lexi Salazar, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026 Similar policies are in place across dozens of local police agencies nationwide, including in New York City, home of the nation’s largest police force, which banned the practice of shooting at moving vehicles in the 1960s, Alpert said. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for police force

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of police force was in 1820

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Police force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/police%20force. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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