police

American  

[puh-lees] / pəˈlis /

noun

1. Also called police force.  an organized civil force for maintaining order, preventing and detecting crime, and enforcing the laws.

2. (used with a plural verb) members of such a force.

   Several police are patrolling the neighborhood.

3. the regulation and control of a community, especially for the maintenance of public order, safety, health, morals, etc.

4. the department of the government concerned with this, especially with the maintenance of order.

5. any body of people officially maintained or employed to keep order, enforce regulations, etc.

6. people who seek to regulate a specified activity, practice, etc..

   the language police.

7. Military. (in the U.S. Army)

   1. the cleaning and keeping clean of a camp, post, station, etc.

   2. the condition of a camp, post, station, etc., with reference to cleanliness.

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verb (used with object)

polices, present (3rd person singular) policed, past participle, past policing present participle

1. to regulate, control, or keep in order by or as if by means of police.

2. Military. to clean and keep clean (a camp, post, etc.)

police British  

/ pəˈliːs /

noun

1. 1. the organized civil force of a state, concerned with maintenance of law and order, the detection and prevention of crime, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a police inquiry

2. (functioning as plural) the members of such a force collectively

3. any organized body with a similar function

   security police

4. archaic

   1. the regulation and control of a community, esp in regard to the enforcement of law, the prevention of crime, etc

   2. the department of government concerned with this

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verb

1. to regulate, control, or keep in order by means of a police or similar force

2. to observe or record the activity or enforcement of

   a committee was set up to police the new agreement on picketing

3. to make or keep (a military camp, etc) clean and orderly

Pronunciation

Many English words exemplify the original stress rule of Old English and other early Germanic languages, according to which all parts of speech except unprefixed verbs were stressed on the first syllable, and prefixed verbs were stressed on the syllable immediately following the prefix. Although the scope of this rule has been greatly restricted by the incorporation into English of loanwords that exhibit other stress patterns, the rule has always remained operative to some degree, and many loanwords have been conformed to it throughout the history of English. For South Midland and Midland U.S. speakers in particular, shifting the stress in borrowed nouns from a noninitial syllable to the first syllable is still an active process, yielding for police and for Detroit, as well as cement, cigar, guitar, insurance, umbrella, and idea said as , , , , , and .

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unpoliced
  adjective
• overpolice
  verb (used with object)
• well-policed
  adjective
• prepolice
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has policed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have policed
  perfect
• have been policing
  perfect progressive
• is policing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am policing
  progressive 1st person singular
• are policing
  progressive
• has been policing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• policing
  participle
• polices
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had policed
  perfect
• had been policing
  perfect progressive
• were policing
  progressive plural
• was policing
  progressive singular
• policed
  simple
• policed
  participle

Future

• will police
  simple
• will have policed
  perfect
• will have been policing
  perfect progressive
• will be policing
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of police

First recorded in 1520–30; from Middle French: “government, civil administration, police,” from Late Latin polītia “citizenship, government,” from Latin polītīa; see polity

Explanation

The word police refers to the members of a law enforcement organization, or to the organization itself. If you see a crime being committed, you should call the police. The job of the police is to protect citizens and enforce laws. You might see police patrolling parks or maintaining order at large gatherings, like concerts and demonstrations. As a verb, to police is to enforce laws or keep a watchful eye on things. Actual police officers might police a political protest, while teachers are sometimes called upon to police school dances and parties.

Example Sentences

Kevin Docherty was one of several families detailing the failures of police in handling the disappearances of their loved ones.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

The police force revealed on Thursday that it had started sharing data with Apple to build a "global picture" of what happens to stolen handsets, including whether they are being reconnected to a network.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Manhattan Beach police responded to a crash around 6 p.m. at Suds & Duds Coin Laundry on Aviation Boulevard, according to authorities.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Northern Ireland police chief Jon Boutcher said the force was looking to add a further 200 officers to the streets, while local transport authorities cancelled bus and train services for Wednesday evening.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

No one knocks on a door like the police.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

Related Words

• force
• law enforcement
• squad
• troops