WordGarden.iopatroller
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /pəˈtrəʊlə/noun
US
- /pəˈtroʊlər/noun
Meanings
Noun
a person assigned to patrol an area to watch for trouble or enforce rules
Beyond the definition
A patroller is someone who moves through an area again and again to keep watch and help keep it safe or in order. Think of a park ranger checking trails, a border agent watching a crossing, or a security guard making rounds in a building. The idea is not just standing in one place, but actively going through an area, noticing problems, and stepping in when needed. A neighborhood watch volunteer might also be described this way if they regularly look out for trouble.
The word "patroller" describes a person whose job or duty is to move through an area regularly to keep watch, maintain safety, or check conditions. It suggests steady movement, alert eyes, and a readiness to act if something is wrong. A police officer on city streets is a classic example, but the word is not limited to law enforcement.
A lifeguard working as a beach patroller scans the shore and water for swimmers in danger. In the same way, a security guard who patrols a building is trying to spot trouble early, such as theft, damage, or unsafe activity. The word can also be used more loosely for anyone who regularly watches over a place, as long as the idea of making rounds is still there.
Context matters: the word is most natural for people whose role includes regular rounds through a space, especially to protect, inspect, or supervise it. It can sometimes be used in a wider or playful way, but its main meaning stays close to a person keeping watch over an area by moving through it. In the end, a patroller is someone who is present, observant, and responsible for what happens in that space.
Examples
- 1
Building security
A night patroller checks the office building after everyone has gone home.
- 2
Ski safety
A ski patroller helped the injured snowboarder down the slope.
- Phraseski patroller
someone who works at a ski area and helps with safety and emergencies
- 3
Neighborhood watch
Volunteer patrollers walked through the neighborhood after dark.
See also
Similar
- guard
- patrol officer
Shades of meaning
- ranger
- security guard
Contrast
- stationary guard
Used with (collocations)
- night patroller
- ski patroller
Word family
Explore
- surveillance
- patrol route
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- patrollernoun