patrol
1 of 2noun
pa·trol pə-ˈtrōl 
1
a
: the action of traversing a district or beat or of going the rounds along a chain of guards for observation or the maintenance of security
b
: the person performing such an action
c
: a unit of persons or vehicles employed for reconnaissance, security, or combat
2
: a subdivision of a Boy Scout troop or Girl Scout troop
patrol
2 of 2verb
patrolled; patrolling
intransitive verb
: to carry out a patrol
transitive verb
: to carry out a patrol of
patroller noun
Example Sentences
Noun The guard makes a patrol of the building every hour. Soldiers are on patrol along the border. Army patrols combed the area. Verb The squad had orders to patrol the area. The border is patrolled by the army.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 An Alabama man arrested earlier this year after allegedly stealing an ambulance at Erlanger hospital and later crashing it into a patrol car has died. La Shawn Pagán Chattanooga Times Free Press, al, 13 Sep. 2022 The car rescue happened July 6, 2021, when a driver suffered a medical emergency and fell unconscious, crashing his car into several vehicles and narrowly missing a Chula Vista patrol car. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 As the deputies were returning to their patrol car, a vehicle drove up and someone from inside the vehicle opened fire on them. Landon Mion, Fox News, 10 Sep. 2022 The men got no answer, and headed back to their patrol car, Owens said. Chris Harris, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2022 The pursuing officer pulled in behind the car and exited his patrol car, asking the male, later identified to be Aaron Black, to show his hands before exiting the Fusion. The Indianapolis Star, 8 Sep. 2022 According to the Indiana State Police, Parent was seated in his patrol car with emergency lights activated when his fully marked Dodge Charger police car was struck by a black, 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2022 At that point, Kim wrote, the man stopped running and Kim tried to stop the patrol car to prevent a collision. Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 Amanda Rabines, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2022 Occupation forces patrol in markets to warn those trying to use the Ukrainian currency, the hryvnia, in transactions. BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 District security officers, now equipped with guns, will patrol clusters of schools, but will not be stationed inside school buildings. Olivia Krauth, The Courier-Journal, 9 Aug. 2022 Oh, and great white sharks also patrol the wider area, too. Fox News, 7 Aug. 2022 Along with low-cost spaying and neutering services, county animal control officers patrol for lost, injured and abandoned animals, investigate animal cruelty cases and provide emergency rescues during natural disasters. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2022 The horses and officers are often at community events, though a significant portion of the job is dedicated to patrol. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Sep. 2022 John Cagianello, promoted to agent, will be assigned to patrol. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2022 Amtrak police guard the inside of the train depot, MPD watches the front drive, and the U.S. Park Police patrol the station’s grassy plaza. James V. Grimaldi, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
As a trainee that year, Robles crashed her patrol car while on duty in Boyle Heights, killing two brothers, ages 7 and 9, and severely injuring their mother. Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 An Alabama man arrested earlier this year after allegedly stealing an ambulance at Erlanger hospital and later crashing it into a patrol car has died. La Shawn Pagán Chattanooga Times Free Press, al, 13 Sep. 2022 The car rescue happened July 6, 2021, when a driver suffered a medical emergency and fell unconscious, crashing his car into several vehicles and narrowly missing a Chula Vista patrol car. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 As the deputies were returning to their patrol car, a vehicle drove up and someone from inside the vehicle opened fire on them. Landon Mion, Fox News, 10 Sep. 2022 The men got no answer, and headed back to their patrol car, Owens said. Chris Harris, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2022 The pursuing officer pulled in behind the car and exited his patrol car, asking the male, later identified to be Aaron Black, to show his hands before exiting the Fusion. The Indianapolis Star, 8 Sep. 2022 According to the Indiana State Police, Parent was seated in his patrol car with emergency lights activated when his fully marked Dodge Charger police car was struck by a black, 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2022 At that point, Kim wrote, the man stopped running and Kim tried to stop the patrol car to prevent a collision. Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 Verb
Members are known to rally against gun control efforts, patrol the U.S. border with Mexico and violently confront Muslim Americans. Amanda Rabines, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2022 Occupation forces patrol in markets to warn those trying to use the Ukrainian currency, the hryvnia, in transactions. BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 District security officers, now equipped with guns, will patrol clusters of schools, but will not be stationed inside school buildings. Olivia Krauth, The Courier-Journal, 9 Aug. 2022 Oh, and great white sharks also patrol the wider area, too. Fox News, 7 Aug. 2022 Along with low-cost spaying and neutering services, county animal control officers patrol for lost, injured and abandoned animals, investigate animal cruelty cases and provide emergency rescues during natural disasters. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2022 The horses and officers are often at community events, though a significant portion of the job is dedicated to patrol. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Sep. 2022 John Cagianello, promoted to agent, will be assigned to patrol. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2022 Amtrak police guard the inside of the train depot, MPD watches the front drive, and the U.S. Park Police patrol the station’s grassy plaza. James V. Grimaldi, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
French patrouiller, from Middle French, to tramp around in the mud, from patte paw — more at patten
First Known Use
Noun
1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1648, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Phrases Containing patrol
Kids Definition
patrol 1 of 2
noun
pa·trol pə-ˈtrōl
1
: the action of going around an area to make sure that it is safe
2
: a person or group going around an area to make sure that it is safe
3
: a part of a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop
patrol
2 of 2verb
patrolled; patrolling
: to go around an area for the purpose of watching or protecting
patrol 1 of 2
noun
as in sentry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sentry
- outpost
- picket
- commando
- watch
- rear guard
- paratroops
- squadron
- battalion
- squad
- corps
- platoon
- troop
- firing squad
- detachment
- regiment
- wing
- detail
- company
- command
- division
patrol
2 of 2verb
as in to guard
to walk or go around or through (an area, building, etc.) especially in order to make sure that it is safe The squad had orders to patrol the area. The border is patrolled by the army. Synonyms & Similar Words
- guard
- protect
- control
- police
- safeguard
- oversee
- supervise
- shield
- operate
- watch
- attend
- tend
- superintend
- conduct
- mind
- guide
- manage
- govern
- regulate
- steward
- shepherd
- mother
- care (for)
- baby
- direct
- chaperone
- administrate
- run
- babysit
- preside (over)
- chaperon
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ignore
- forget
- pass over
- disregard
- abandon
- neglect
- refreshening
- refreshens
- refresher
- refresher course
- refreshers
- refreshes
- refreshful
- refreshfully
- refreshing
- refreshingly
- refreshment
- Refreshment Sunday
- refreshments
- refried
- refried beans
- refries
- refrig
- refrigerant
- refrigerants
- refrigerate
- refrigerated
- refrigerates
- refrigerating
- refrigerating engine
- refrigerating machine