patrol

1 of 2

noun

pa·​trol pə-ˈtrōl How to pronounce patrol (audio)
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 2

verb

patrolled; patrolling

intransitive verb

: to carry out a patrol

transitive verb

: to carry out a patrol of
patroller noun

Examples of patrol in a Sentence

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Hobart Police spokesman Assistant Chief Nicholas Wardrip said a school resource officer and patrol officers intercepted the bus about 3 p.m. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025 The two patrol officers involved in the shooting have each worked for the department for about 4 ½ years. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
The kids took part in four, eight-hour sessions that exposed them to all facets of police work, from evidence collection to patrol work. Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025 Want to see the old police cars that once patrolled our roads? Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for patrol 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of patrol was in 1648

Dictionary Entries Near patrol

Cite this Entry

“Patrol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patrol. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

patrol

1 of 2 noun
pa·​trol pə-ˈtrōl How to pronounce patrol (audio)
1
a
: the action of going the rounds of an area for observation or guard
b
: the person or group doing the patrolling
2
: a part of a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop

patrol

2 of 2 verb
patrolled; patrolling
: to carry out a patrol or a patrol of
patroller noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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