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police power

American  

noun

  1. the power of a nation, within the limits of its constitution, to regulate the conduct of its citizens in the interest of the common good.

Etymology

Origin of police power

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

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.

President Theodore Roosevelt, in 1904, said it gave the US "international police power" to intervene in countries where there was "wrongdoing".

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

“Historically, when we grant police power or discretion or advanced technologies, they tend to be used in many more situations.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 21, 2022

The approved policy does give the police power to use robots for situational awareness, such as going first into a dangerous situation so police can stay back.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 6, 2022

The federal government, in contrast, lacks a police power.

From Scientific American • Oct. 19, 2022

Legitimate exercise of police power in protecting the life and health of employees.

From Civics and Health by Allen, William H.

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.