police

8 definitions • 11 examples

the official organization that is responsible for protecting people and property, making people obey the law, finding out about and solving crime, and catching people who have committed a crime:

I think you should call the police.

The police are investigating fraud allegations against him.

members of this organization:

There should be more police patrolling the area on foot.

to control or guard a public event or area by using members of the police or a similar force:

The march will be heavily policed by an anti-riot unit.

to control the way in which a possibly dangerous substance is dealt with or a dangerous activity is done:

The use of these chemicals must be carefully policed.

an official force whose job is to maintain public order, deal with crime, and make people obey the law, or the members of this force:

I think you should call the police.

Police arrested two people in connection with the robbery.

to control or maintain order, esp. with police:

Security forces policed the border.

It’s up to the government to police the financial markets.

to make sure that the rules of an activity, organization, industry, etc. are obeyed:

It's impossible for the moderator to police all the comments that have been posted.

to control the way in which a possibly dangerous substance is dealt with or a dangerous activity is done:

The use of these chemicals must be carefully policed.