Scotland Yard

American  

noun

1. a short street in central London, England: formerly the site of the London police headquarters, which were removed 1890 to a Thames embankment (New Scotland Yard ).

2. the metropolitan police of London, especially the branch engaged in crime detection.

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Scotland Yard British  

noun

1. Official name: New Scotland Yard.  the headquarters of the police force of metropolitan London, controlled directly by the British Home Office and hence having certain national responsibilities

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Etymology

Origin of Scotland Yard

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Last year, Scotland Yard said the officers' actions in the Child Q case were "regrettable" and it "should never have happened".

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Nicky Perfect spent over 30 years as a Metropolitan Police officer, including 10 years as an international hostage and crisis negotiator, in the elite New Scotland Yard Hostage and Crisis Negotiation Unit.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

Ian Rutledge of Scotland Yard expects to spend the holiday in London—until he’s assigned, at the last moment, to investigate an incident in snowy Kent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

PC Park was found to have breached standards of professional behaviour for authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct, challenging and reporting improper conduct, and equality and diversity, Scotland Yard said.

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2025

A search by Scotland Yard had found no trace of any of them.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson