policing

[puh-lee-sing]

noun

1. the act of maintaining public order and security, enforcing the law, or regulating or controlling something, by or as if by members of a police force.

   No matter what style is adopted for the policing of a community, officers must use discretion in interpreting the activities of citizens.

   Careful family use of the internet doesn't need to be a punitive policing of children's activities online.

2. Military.,  the act of cleaning up a camp or post or of keeping it clean.

   After the major’s visit, the policing of the entire camp and all the fighting positions improved 100 percent.

Other Word Forms

• self-policing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of policing¹

First recorded in 1830–40; police ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

It has led some of these rural communities, who live in close proximity to the kidnapping gangs and in the woeful absence of effective policing, to come up with their own solutions.

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“The idea that this law is about policing is hogwash,” Zbur said.

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“But now, because of some of the negative talk about policing in general, there’s less of that, less of a following in your father’s or grandfather’s footsteps.”

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The BBC reported in March that Retailleau wanted these interceptions to begin - but had conceded it was a difficult issue for his government to solve because of their maritime policing rules.

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Community leaders say tackling knife crime requires more than policing — it demands investment, compassion, and prevention.

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Related Words

• police 
• police force