patrol

American  

[puh-trohl] / pəˈtroʊl /

verb (used without object)

patrols, present (3rd person singular) patrolled, past participle, past patrolling present participle

1. (of a police officer, soldier, etc.) to pass along a road, beat, etc., or around or through a specified area in order to maintain order and security.

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verb (used with object)

patrols, present (3rd person singular) patrolled, past participle, past patrolling present participle

1. to maintain the order and security of (a road, beat, area, etc.) by passing along or through it.

noun

1. a person or group of persons assigned to patrol an area, road, etc.

2. an automobile, ship, plane, squadron, fleet, etc., assigned to patrol an area.

3. Military. a detachment of two or more persons, often a squad or platoon, detailed for reconnaissance or combat.

4. the act of patrolling.

5. patrol wagon.

6. (in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts) a subdivision of a troop, usually consisting of about eight members.

patrol British  

/ pəˈtrəʊl /

noun

1. the action of going through or around a town, neighbourhood, etc, at regular intervals for purposes of security or observation

2. a person or group that carries out such an action

3. a military detachment with the mission of security, gathering information, or combat with enemy forces

4. a division of a troop of Scouts or Guides

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verb

1. to engage in a patrol of (a place)

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unpatrolled
  adjective
• well-patrolled
  adjective
• repatrol
  verb (used with object)
• patroller
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have patrolled
  perfect
• has patrolled
  perfect 3rd person singular
• am patrolling
  progressive 1st person singular
• has been patrolling
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• patrols
  singular 3rd person
• is patrolling
  progressive 3rd person singular
• patrolling
  participle
• are patrolling
  progressive
• have been patrolling
  perfect progressive

Past

• had patrolled
  perfect
• were patrolling
  progressive plural
• was patrolling
  progressive singular
• had been patrolling
  perfect progressive
• patrolled
  simple
• patrolled
  participle

Future

• will patrol
  simple
• will have patrolled
  perfect
• will be patrolling
  progressive
• will have been patrolling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of patrol

1655–65; < French patrouille (noun), patrouiller (v.) patrol, originally a pawing (noun), to paw (v.) in mud; derivative (with suffixal -ouille ) of patte paw; -r- unexplained

Explanation

When a person or a group monitors a specific area, that's a patrol. A police officer's night patrol might involve walking a beat on certain city streets. A patrol is the activity of watching a neighborhood or region, and also refers to the person or group doing the watching. And when you join such a group, you can say you patrol. Your neighborhood watch group might patrol the town in groups of three, driving up and down the streets keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. The French patrouille, "a night watch," comes from patrouiller, "go the rounds," and originally "tramp trough the mud."

Example Sentences

Thousands of armed police patrol alongside tourists in Mexico City, where authorities say security is under control in the days leading up to the World Cup.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

"Honestly, this flyover of the Statue of Liberty is something I never imagined I would be able to do in my life," Commander Brice Beaudouin, leader of the patrol, told AFP ahead of the flyover.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

An Italian patrol boat had recovered ten bodies, it said, adding a search in the area was continuing on Sunday afternoon.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

His body was found inside the unlocked SUV three days later when Wenrick told the fleet maintenance crew to take the patrol cars to be washed.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

He can't afford a fine, but he wants to tell this patrol leader off.

From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Related Words

• cruise
• inspect
• safeguard