patrol
verb (used without object)
(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.
were patrolling
-
past progressiveof patrol.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The crash took place around 9:47 p.m. when sheriff’s deputies assigned to a gang unit were patrolling southeast Fresno.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2024
The car was initially noticed by troopers who were patrolling the Shoppes at Brinton Lake, a mall in Concord Township, Delaware County, because of a recent series of retail thefts, the state police said.
From New York Times ● Apr. 25, 2024
Police Commissioner Richard Worley said officers were patrolling an area in southwest Baltimore known for frequent gun violence when they encountered a man who they believed to be armed.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 7, 2023
Around 30 gendarmes were patrolling the village, police said.
From Reuters ● Oct. 9, 2023
Even there, more guards than usual were patrolling.
From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke
