police

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /pəˈliːs/

• Audio (US)

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• Audio (UK)

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Noun

Singular none

Plural police

A police officer

1. (uncountable) (plural only) The police are the government force who enforce laws, prevent crime, stop and arrest criminals, regulate traffic, help maintain public order, and help with emergencies.

   When we saw the man take the money, we called the police.

   The police car stopped the truck that was driving too fast.

   New Zealand Police took stolen guns, money, and cars, after searching a homes in the city of Auckland.

2. The police means the city government department that is concerned with enforcing laws and helping with emergencies.

   The Police Department there replaced the previous system of having volunteers keep the city safe.

Related words

• police officer

Verb

Plain form police

Third-person singular polices

Past tense policed

Past participle policed

Present participle policing

1. If you police an area or activity, you watch it to make sure no laws are being broken.

   There are fewer crimes in the countryside, but it's difficult to police such a big area.