police

puh-LEES/pəˈliːs/

Verbpolices, policing, policed

7 meanings of police

1
the officersnounplural
The people and organization whose job is to make sure laws are obeyed and to keep people safe.
Like a team of guards who watch over a town and step in when there is trouble.
The police came quickly after we called for help.
The police stopped our car and asked to see my license.
UsageSay the police are coming. One person is a police officer.
Note
2
enforce the lawverbtransitive
To keep order in a place or group, or to check that people follow the rules for something.
Like a teacher who keeps order in a busy classroom.
Officers police the streets every night.
Soldiers were sent to police the border region.
Similarpatrol, control, guard
Note
3
make others conformverbfigurativelytransitive
To make people follow certain rules or ways of behaving.
Like someone always checking that you follow every little rule.
Online groups often police what their members are allowed to say.
She felt her family tried to police her every choice.
Similarregulate, monitor, control
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin polītīa meaning "state" or "government", which came from Greek. It came into English through Middle French.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Police derives from Latin polītīa, meaning "state" or "government". en.wiktionary.org
Latin polītīa was borrowed from Greek. en.wiktionary.org
Police entered English through Middle French. en.wiktionary.org