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 post is correct in asserting that directives are not laws and that the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act generally bars the military from acting as a domestic police force. Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024 Protests of police brutality in 2020, sparked by the murder of George Floyd, prompted questions in Austin, as in most American cities, about the city's relationship with its police force. Asher Price, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024 Charlie is actually Lois' doctor in the hospital, while Megan is a detective who works with Lois in the police force. Julia Moore, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024 The result was the disastrous budgets of the past two years that have rewarded the unions, ignored the $100 million-plus structural deficit and continued to leave the city with a badly understaffed police force. East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 12 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near police force

Cite this Entry

“Police force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/police%20force. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on police force

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!