patrol

[puh-trohl]

verb (used without object)

patrolled, patrolling 

1. (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.

verb (used with object)

patrolled, patrolling 

1. to maintain the order and security of (a road, beat, area, etc.) by passing along or through it.

noun

1. a person or group of persons assigned to patrol an area, road, etc.

2. an automobile, ship, plane, squadron, fleet, etc., assigned to patrol an area.

3. Military.,  a detachment of two or more persons, often a squad or platoon, detailed for reconnaissance or combat.

4. the act of patrolling.

5. patrol wagon.

6. (in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts) a subdivision of a troop, usually consisting of about eight members.

patrol

/ pəˈtrəʊl /

noun

1. the action of going through or around a town, neighbourhood, etc, at regular intervals for purposes of security or observation

2. a person or group that carries out such an action

3. a military detachment with the mission of security, gathering information, or combat with enemy forces

4. a division of a troop of Scouts or Guides

verb

1. to engage in a patrol of (a place)

Other Word Forms

• patroller noun
• repatrol verb (used with object)
• unpatrolled adjective
• well-patrolled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of patrol¹

1655–65; < French patrouille (noun), patrouiller (v.) patrol, originally a pawing (noun), to paw (v.) in mud; derivative (with suffixal -ouille ) of patte paw; -r- unexplained

Word History and Origins

Origin of patrol¹

C17: from French patrouiller, from patouiller to flounder in mud, from patte paw

Example Sentences

Zizi said the collision involved the officer’s patrol cruiser and a sports utility vehicle carrying three people, one of whom died at the scene.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But now, a new escalation, with revelations the Yantar's sailors targeted Royal Air Force pilots in patrol planes with lasers.

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The detective called for a marked patrol vehicle to stop the car, according to Podberesky.

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Estrosi was referring to wave of deadly jihadist attacks in the mid 2010s, when France deployed hundreds of soldiers on to the streets of many cities where they continue to patrol.

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People are currently being moved to patrol boats, it said.

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Related Words

• cruise 
• inspect 
• safeguard