Interpol

American

[in-ter-pohl] / ˈɪn tərˌpoʊl /

noun

an official international agency that coordinates the police activities of more than 100 member nations: organized in 1923 with headquarters in Paris.

Interpol British

/ ˈɪntəˌpɒl /

acronym

International Criminal Police Organization, an association of over 100 national police forces, devoted chiefly to fighting international crime

"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

Etymology

Origin of Interpol

Inter(national Criminal) Pol(ice Organization)

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.

I watched a movie called “The International,” which focused on an Interpol investigation of a bank that primarily served groups intent on overthrowing existing governments.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

He is wanted by German police for alleged fraud and is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

She also said Xi had responded "positively" to her proposal that the sides work toward Taiwan participating in international organisations such as Interpol and regional trade agreements.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Officials on the Indonesian island have confirmed Lyons - who was the subject of an Interpol alert - will be deported on Wednesday.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Interpol, the international police organization, had him flagged to be arrested at any one of 368 airports throughout the world.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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