police force

noun

: a body of trained officers entrusted by a government with maintenance of public peace and order, enforcement of laws, and prevention and detection of crime

Examples of police force in a Sentence

He joined the local police force. mobilized practically the entire police force to track down the escaped criminal
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.
The sale was halted, and Norfolk Constabulary, the local police force, was called in. Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Mar. 2025 In the comics, the Thor Corp is Doom's personal police force, made up of alternate versions of Thor. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 According to La Policia Nacional, the country's national police force, Konanki was last seen entering the beach early Thursday morning at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana. Lorraine Taylor, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2025 The last time Missouri took control of St. Louis’ police force was just before the start of the Civil War, when the state’s secessionist-leaning leaders were trying to prevent police officers from taking up arms against the Confederacy. Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for police force

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of police force was in 1820

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Police force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/police%20force. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

police force

noun
: a body of officers trained and entrusted by a government to keep public peace, enforce laws, and prevent and detect crime

Legal Definition

police force

noun
: a body of trained officers entrusted by a government with maintenance of public peace and order, enforcement of laws, and prevention and detection of crime
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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