police
Also called police force. an organized civil force for maintaining order, preventing and detecting crime, and enforcing the laws.
(used with a plural verb) members of such a force: Several police are patrolling the neighborhood.
the regulation and control of a community, especially for the maintenance of public order, safety, health, morals, etc.
the department of the government concerned with this, especially with the maintenance of order.
any body of people officially maintained or employed to keep order, enforce regulations, etc.
people who seek to regulate a specified activity, practice, etc.: the language police.
Military. (in the U.S. Army)
the cleaning and keeping clean of a camp, post, station, etc.
the condition of a camp, post, station, etc., with reference to cleanliness.
to regulate, control, or keep in order by or as if by means of police.
Military. to clean and keep clean (a camp, post, etc.)
Origin of police
1pronunciation note For police
Other words from police
- o·ver·po·lice, verb (used with object), o·ver·po·liced, o·ver·po·lic·ing.
- pre·po·lice, adjective
- un·po·liced, adjective
- well-po·liced, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use police in a sentence
Anyone who can't see how corrupted our polices are by the arms-dealer front group known as the NRA isn't looking very hard.
9-Year Old With an Uzi? America Is Tougher on Toys Than Guns | Cliff Schecter | August 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTPushing more lenient sentencing polices was not going to be the White House's priority straight out of the gate.
How Eric Holder Got His Chance to Overhaul Broken Sentencing System | Daniel Klaidman | August 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTWhen it comes to corruption and Congress, the line the law polices is the wrong line, writes Lawrence Lessig.
Congressmen Come and Go, but Corruption Is Here to Stay | Lawrence Lessig | June 7, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTSince the app is already live Mikandi intends to alter it to comply with the new polices.
Adult Entertainment Companies Put Google Glass Technology in Their Sights | Aurora Snow | June 3, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTYet while the World Trade Organization strictly polices tariffs, currency is "not our department."
One section polices the camp within the company police limits.
Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army | War Department.It was a clever idea to paint up the side of the Chief of Polices barn!
Left Half Harmon | Ralph Henry BarbourIt polices the coast as the navy polices the ocean, and its duties are as varied as they are weighty and important.
The Sea Rovers | Rufus Rockwell WilsonThe society now protects and polices about one hundred of these refuges, which, of course, are worthless unless thus protected.
A Book-Lover's Holidays in the Open | Theodore RooseveltWhen not thus occupied, he either polices the premises to guard against intrusion, or is away in search of food.
Nests and Eggs of Birds of The United States | Thomas G. Gentry
British Dictionary definitions for police
/ (pəˈliːs) /
the police the organized civil force of a state, concerned with maintenance of law and order, the detection and prevention of crime, etc
(as modifier): a police inquiry
(functioning as plural) the members of such a force collectively
any organized body with a similar function: security police
archaic
the regulation and control of a community, esp in regard to the enforcement of law, the prevention of crime, etc
the department of government concerned with this
to regulate, control, or keep in order by means of a police or similar force
to observe or record the activity or enforcement of: a committee was set up to police the new agreement on picketing
US to make or keep (a military camp, etc) clean and orderly
Origin of police
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse