patrol

American  

[puh-trohl] / pəˈtroʊl /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of patrol

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

Example Sentences

“Surveillance video shows Mr. Valencia unlawfully entering the rear seat area of patrol unit 37.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

His body was found inside the unlocked SUV three days later when Wenrick told the fleet maintenance crew to take the patrol cars to get washed.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the overhaul would mean that officers would "no longer be policing perfectly legal tweets" and would have more time to patrol streets and catch criminals.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Three of New Zealand’s eight navy ships—two offshore patrol vessels and one inshore patrol vessel—were mothballed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

A natural leader, Hans Scholl rose to command a squad of 150 Hitler Youth, earning the rank of Fähnleinführer, a leader of a patrol that has its own flag.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Related Words

• cruise
• inspect
• safeguard