Patrol

Quick meaning: Patrol is a noun meaning (military) The guards who go the rounds for observation; a detachment whose duty it is to patrol.

Meaning

(military) The guards who go the rounds for observation; a detachment whose duty it is to patrol.

More Meanings

1. Any perambulation of a particular line or district to guard it; also, the people thus guarding.
2. (intransitive) To go the rounds along a chain of sentinels; to traverse a police district or beat.
3. (transitive) To go the rounds of, as a sentry, guard, or policeman
4. (military) A going of the rounds along the chain of sentinels and between the posts, by a guard, usually consisting of three or four men, to insure greater security from attacks on the outposts.
5. (military) A movement, by a small body of troops beyond the line of outposts, to explore the country and gain intelligence of the enemy's whereabouts.
6. (law enforcement) The largest division of officers within a police department or sheriff's office, whose assignment is to patrol and respond to calls for service.
7. (scouting) A unit of a troop, usually defined by certain ranks or age groups within the troop, and ideally comprised of six to eight members.

Example Sentences

a fire patrol

a customs patrol

Four members of the squadron were on patrol.

1787-1788, Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers In France there is an army of patrols […] to secure her fiscal regulations.

Word Forms

• patrols
• patrolling
• patrolled

Synonyms for patrol

Depending on context, synonyms include police, patrolling.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include police, squad, platoon, guards, garrison, guard.

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