patrol
verb (used without object)
(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.
are patrolling
-
present progressiveof patrol.present progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or state that is currently taking place in the immediate present.
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.
Flashing cars carrying heavily armed policemen are patrolling the capital.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 25, 2026
Police warn they are patrolling the streets and will continue to "intervene where there are still disturbances" to "re-establish public order and peace".
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2025
"We are patrolling, and there will be consequences for breaches of the law," said Mr Edwards.
From BBC ● Mar. 3, 2025
In South Pasadena, new police cars are patrolling to reduce crime and cutting emissions at the same times.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2024
‘I’ll have to leave you here. The Hunters are patrolling the old city, keeping a lookout for Orion. I need to get back to the front lines.’
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
