police action

noun

: a localized military action undertaken without formal declaration of war by regular armed forces against persons held to be violators of international peace and order

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of police action was in 1933

Dictionary Entries Near police action

Cite this Entry

“Police action.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/police%20action. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on police action

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!