plural patrols
1
: the act of walking or going around or through an area, building, etc., in order to make sure that it is safe : the act of patrolling an area
The guard makes a patrol of the building every hour.
Soldiers are on patrol along the border.
a patrol officer
2
: a group of people, vehicles, etc., that go through an area to make sure that it is safe : a group that patrols an area
Army patrols combed the area.
the highway patrol
the U.S. Border Patrol
a foot patrol [=a group that patrols by walking]
the ski patrol [=a group that patrols an area on skis]
patrols; patrolled; patrolling
: to walk or go around or through (an area, building, etc.) especially in order to make sure that it is safe
The squad had orders to patrol the area.
The border is patrolled by the army.
Police patrol the streets.
They patrolled on foot.
Cite this Entry
“Patrol.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/patrol. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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