WordGarden.iopolice
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /pəlˈiːs/
US
- /pəˈlis/
Meanings
Noun
the public force that enforces laws and keeps order
Verb
to monitor and control behavior or activity to enforce rules or keep order
Beyond the definition
The "police" are the people whose job is to enforce the law, prevent crime, and respond when people need help in an emergency. In everyday life, the word usually means the public officers and departments that keep order in a town, city, or country. You might call the police if you see a robbery, hear someone breaking into a house, or need help after a car accident. We often picture officers in uniform, but the term can also include detectives and other law enforcement workers. In normal use, it refers both to the people and to the organization they work for.
The term "police" refers to the public authority and the officers whose job is to enforce laws, keep order, prevent crime, and protect people. Many people first think of uniformed officers on the street, but the idea is broader than that. It can include detectives investigating crimes, officers managing traffic, and special units working on areas such as drugs, organized crime, or online crime. Because "police" is usually treated as a plural noun, we normally say "the police are coming" rather than "the police is coming."
Historically, policing grew from local watch groups into formal public organizations supported by the state. The word comes from the Greek politeia, connected to ideas of public order and government. Today, police forces work under laws and rules that define what they can do and how they should serve the public.
The context matters a lot. In one story, you might read about police officers helping someone after an accident or searching for a missing child. In another, you might see phrases such as "police brutality" or "police state," which point to abuse of power or heavy state control. So the word can carry both a basic neutral meaning and strong emotional or political meaning, depending on how it is used. At its core, it describes the people and institutions given the authority to enforce the law and maintain public order.
Examples
- 1
Investigation
The police are looking for two people who left the scene.
- Grammar
police takes a plural verb: the police are, not the police is
- 2
Emergency call
Call the police if you hear someone trying to break in.
- 3
Crime report
She reported the theft to the police.
- 4
One officer
A police officer helped us find the right platform.
- Grammar
Use police officer for one person.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Police station
He spent the afternoon at the police station giving a statement.
- 6
Public safety
The city has increased police patrols near the park at night.
- 7
Event security
The festival hired extra staff to police the entrance gates.
- Patternpolice + place/activity
watch it and make sure rules are followed
- 8
Online moderation
It is hard to police every comment on a large website.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- policenounverb
Forms
- policing-ing formverbnoun
- policesverbnoun
- policedpast tenseverbnoun