1
a
: the action of traversing a district or beat or of going the rounds along a chain of guards for observation or the maintenance of security
b
: the person performing such an action
c
: a unit of persons or vehicles employed for reconnaissance, security, or combat
2
: a subdivision of a Boy Scout troop or Girl Scout troop
patrolled; patrolling
: to carry out a patrol
: to carry out a patrol of
patroller
noun
Examples of patrol in a Sentence
Noun
The guard makes a patrol of the building every hour.
Soldiers are on patrol along the border.
Army patrols combed the area.
Verb
The squad had orders to patrol the area.
The border is patrolled by the army.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
There has been a noticeable decline in poaching since regular patrols were performed in the park, officials said, and this work is evident through both male and female deer appearing on the cameras.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025
Here in the opening stages of last month’s meeting in Manchester, the front three defend narrowly to stop passes through the middle and Wharton and Kamada patrol behind, with the centre-backs ready to jump forward if required.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for patrol
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Noun
The department will assign additional personnel to patrol shifts, with enhanced patrols scheduled at random times during the first two weeks of the summer break.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
There has been a noticeable decline in poaching since regular patrols were performed in the park, officials said, and this work is evident through both male and female deer appearing on the cameras.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
Verb
Miami Beach police vehicles were patrolling the gated neighborhood, home to the Estefans and other luminaries.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025
Here in the opening stages of last month’s meeting in Manchester, the front three defend narrowly to stop passes through the middle and Wharton and Kamada patrol behind, with the centre-backs ready to jump forward if required.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for patrol
Cite this Entry
“Patrol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patrol. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patrol
1 of 2 noun
pa·trol
pə-ˈtrōl 
1
a
: the action of going the rounds of an area for observation or guard
b
: the person or group doing the patrolling
2
: a part of a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop
patrol
2 of 2 verb
patrolled; patrolling
: to carry out a patrol or a patrol of
patroller
noun
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