patrol

4 definitions • 7 examples

(especially of soldiers or the police) to go around an area or a building to see if there is any trouble or danger:

The whole town is patrolled by police because of the possibility of riots.

A security guard with a dog patrols the building site at night.

Coastguards found a deserted boat while patrolling (along) the coast.

the act of checking that there is no trouble or danger in a building or area:

a highway patrol

Three reconnaissance aircraft are permanently on patrol.

a small group of soldiers or military ships, aircraft, or vehicles, especially one that patrols an area:

Our forward patrol has/have spotted the enemy.

to go around an area or a building to check that it is free from trouble or danger:

[ T ] Security guards patrol the building at night.