patrol car

noun

: a police automobile connected with headquarters by a two-way radio or computer : squad car
Placing an unarmed, compliant juvenile in the back of a patrol car transformed an investigatory stop into an arrest, the 9th Circuit held …The National Law Journal

Examples of patrol car in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Near the scene, a Muskego police officer directing traffic from Quietwood Drive onto Woods Road kept ducking in and out of his patrol car to stay warm. Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025 In the video, one officer is shown driving a Santa Ana PD patrol car to within a few feet of the Casa Linda furniture store. Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025 Shawn Durbin is also charged with two counts of third-degree assault and one count of resisting arrest for attempting to kick out a patrol car window, spitting on a police officer and fighting with officers. Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025 Seconds later, the actor calmly climbs into the backseat of the patrol car. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for patrol car

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of patrol car was in 1926

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Cite this Entry

“Patrol car.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patrol%20car. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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