self-po·lic·ing
ˌself-pə-ˈlē-siŋ 
: the act or action of supervising the activities or policies of one's own group in order to prevent or detect and address violations of rules and regulations without outside enforcement
the industry's efforts at self-policing
But there is no easy answer, other than rigorous self-policing by users.—
Jim Kerstetter
Jim KerstetterNot all march organizers agree that self-policing is necessary or, even, appropriate.—The Oregonian
The Oregonian
: having, involving, or engaging in self-policing
self-policing forums
a self-policing community
the group's self-policing system/policy
Examples of self-policing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
The Industry’s Proactive Path Forward Survival and legitimacy demand that industry leaders move beyond lobbying and adopt a rigorous strategy of self-policing and public partnership.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
Londoño said self-policing or relying on weakened government enforcement is not enough.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2026
The outcome may shape the House's approach to self-policing and influence the public's trust in congressional accountability.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2025
Binns also launched Tennessee's first self-policing organization for sober living houses, Tennessee Alliance for Recovery Residences, in 2008.
—Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Sep. 2025
The goal for any head coach is to assemble a self-policing locker room — one that’s so established and so strong culturally that new players can’t help but fall in line and adapt to their surroundings.
—Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 24 July 2024
The Justices rely on self-policing mechanisms to uphold ethical standards and maintain the integrity of the court.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 30 May 2024
In Nashville, Tennessee, hot chicken is a self-policing thing—places that fake the fire don't tend to stay in business very long.
—Timothy Charles Davis, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2024
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Noun
The federal regulatory agency tasked with keeping America’s nuclear power plants safe and running smoothly is set to make huge cuts to the amount of time its staffers spend on safety and emergency inspections, opening the door to more self-policing from the industry.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
The Industry’s Proactive Path Forward Survival and legitimacy demand that industry leaders move beyond lobbying and adopt a rigorous strategy of self-policing and public partnership.
—Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
Londoño said self-policing or relying on weakened government enforcement is not enough.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2026
The outcome may shape the House's approach to self-policing and influence the public's trust in congressional accountability.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2025
Binns also launched Tennessee's first self-policing organization for sober living houses, Tennessee Alliance for Recovery Residences, in 2008.
—Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Sep. 2025
The goal for any head coach is to assemble a self-policing locker room — one that’s so established and so strong culturally that new players can’t help but fall in line and adapt to their surroundings.
—Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 24 July 2024
The Justices rely on self-policing mechanisms to uphold ethical standards and maintain the integrity of the court.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 30 May 2024
In Nashville, Tennessee, hot chicken is a self-policing thing—places that fake the fire don't tend to stay in business very long.
—Timothy Charles Davis, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Self-policing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-policing. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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