police state

American

noun

a nation in which the police, especially a secret police, summarily suppresses any social, economic, or political act that conflicts with governmental policy.

police state British

noun

a state or country in which a repressive government maintains control through the police

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

police state Cultural

A nation whose rulers maintain order and obedience by the threat of police or military force; one with a brutal, arbitrary government.

Etymology

Origin of police state

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"However, West Midlands Police stated that information cannot be disclosed due to the complex nature of their investigation, which remains ongoing."

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2025

The Illinois State Police stated on Twitter that the pile-up involving over 100 vehicles occurred on Interstate 39 near El Paso on Thursday afternoon.

From Fox News • Feb. 17, 2022

Police stated that Clark was pulled over during a routine traffic stop, and that’s when they noticed a duffle bag in his car.

From Fox News • Jul. 10, 2021

The of State "Police stated "that proper conditions with competent driv 35 miles an hour would be considered The writer of your item must be nearing 60th birthday.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023