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.
have been patrolling
-
present perfect progressiveof patrol.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
Some members of the group have been patrolling streets in immigrant communities across Southern California for federal agents, following them and recording them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2025
US, French and British warships have been patrolling the Red Sea area and have shot several missiles out of the sky.
From BBC ● Dec. 15, 2023
Officers from the state-run Capitol Police have been patrolling around state government buildings in and near downtown, while the Jackson Police Department patrols the entire city.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 13, 2023
Capitol Police officers have been patrolling around state government buildings in and near downtown, and the Jackson Police Department patrols the entire city.
From Washington Times ● Apr. 21, 2023
"I have been patrolling the shore all night."
From The Zeit-Geist by Lily Dougall
