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Meaning & use

police

noun, verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/pəˈliːs/
US/pəˈliːs/

Meanings

  1. nounplural

    The organized body of officers who enforce the law, prevent and investigate crime, and keep public order.

    Grammar: Takes a plural verb with the: the police are coming. For one person, say a police officer.

    Patterns

    • call the police
    • the police force

    Someone called the police after hearing a loud crash.

    The police have closed the road while they investigate.

    She works for the city police as a dispatcher.

  2. verbtransitive

    To keep order in an area by sending out officers or guards.

    Grammar: Takes an object: police the border, police a stadium.

    Patterns

    • police something

    Extra officers will police the stadium during the final.

    The border was heavily policed.

    Volunteers policed the parade route.

  3. verbtransitivefigurative

    To watch over a group or activity to make sure rules are followed.

    Grammar: Often figurative: police the internet, police a rule.

    Patterns

    • police something
    • police yourself

    Websites struggle to police what users post.

    Teachers cannot police every message students send.

    The industry has to police itself.

Word forms

third person singular (verb)polices
past tense (verb)policed
past participle (verb)policed
-ing form (verb)policing

Common combinations

call the police
We had to call the police about the missing bike.
police officer
A police officer helped us find the way.
police station
He reported the loss at the police station.
police car
A police car followed the ambulance.
police investigation
A police investigation is under way.
heavily policed
The area is heavily policed on match days.

Synonyms and how they differ

law enforcement
Law enforcement is a broader, more formal term that includes agencies beyond local police.
the force
The force is a British shorthand for the police service.
cops
Cops is informal and sometimes disrespectful, while police is neutral.
patrol
As a verb, patrol means to walk or drive around an area, which is only part of what policing involves.

Word family

policeman noun
a male police officer
policewoman noun
a female police officer
policing noun
the work of keeping order
police officer noun
a member of the police

Commonly confused: police or policy? police or polish?

police vs policy

A policy is a plan or rule an organization follows; police are officers who enforce the law.

police vs polish

Polish means to make shiny or relates to Poland; it is unrelated to law enforcement.

Practice

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