noun
police
puh-LEES
noun
1
The official organization responsible for enforcing laws and keeping public order.
"The police were called after neighbours reported the noise."
verb
1
To enforce laws or order within a group or area.
"It's hard for a small team to police such a large event."
"Social media platforms struggle to police misinformation."
How to Use Police
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe law-enforcement body, or the act of monitoring and enforcing rules.
Common pairings
call the police
police force
police a rule
self-police
Word Forms
policed past tense, polices singular
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Etymology
From French police, from Latin politia, "civil administration," ultimately from Greek polis, "city." A doublet of "policy" and "polity."