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Synonyms

police force

American  
[puh-lees fawrs] / pəˈlis ˌfɔrs /

noun

  1. Often the force or the Force the police, an organized civil force for enforcing laws.

Etymology

Origin of police force

First recorded in 1830–40

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.

Raman has said that she believes the police force is the right size at around 8,700 officers.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

A police force has been told it will not be reimbursed more than £900,000 spent policing US president Donald Trump's state visit to Windsor.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

The government in Mogadishu still considers Somaliland an integral part of Somalia even though the territory has run its own affairs since 1991, with its own passports, currency, army and police force.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

However, she argued that a smaller police force would reduce the potential for violent encounters between cops and civilians.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

She knew he was retiring from the police force in September.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.