policenoun [ plural ]
uk/pəˈliːs/us/pəˈliːs/A2 the official organization that is responsible for protecting people and property, making people obey the law, finding out about and solving crime, and catching people who have committed a crime:
I think you should call the police.
The police are investigating fraud allegations against him.
members of this organization:
There should be more police patrolling the area on foot.
More examples
- The police are appealing to the public for any information about the missing girl.
- The police gave out road-safety booklets to the children.
- Get out of here now or I'll call the police.
- When she was stopped by the police for speeding, she gave them a false name and address.
- The role of the police is to ensure that the law is obeyed.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
The police generally
- baton
- baton charge
- billy club
- booze bus
- CID
- constabulary
- escort
- fuzz
- met
- patrol car
- plain clothes
- police department
- police force
- police state
- the long arm of the law idiom
- the Metropolitan Police
- the RCMP
- the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- traffic cops
- warrant
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
People who work for the police service
policeverb [ T ]
uk/pəˈliːs/us/pəˈliːs/to control or guard a public event or area by using members of the police or a similar force:
The march will be heavily policed by an anti-riot unit.
to control the way in which a possibly dangerous substance is dealt with or a dangerous activity is done:
The use of these chemicals must be carefully policed.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
The police generally
- baton
- baton charge
- billy club
- booze bus
- CID
- constabulary
- escort
- fuzz
- met
- patrol car
- plain clothes
- police department
- police force
- police state
- the long arm of the law idiom
- the Metropolitan Police
- the RCMP
- the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- traffic cops
- warrant
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Controlling and being in charge