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
Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024
His plan was nearly foiled by Canadian border patrol agents who were suspicious of his not having a driver's license, which had been ditched in his wallet in the lake.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
David Axe, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Security measures are in place, with police, gendarmerie and army personnel patrolling the area.
—NBC News, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patrol 
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Noun
Law enforcement can track patterns and increase patrols in areas with frequent incidents.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024
His plan was nearly foiled by Canadian border patrol agents who were suspicious of his not having a driver's license, which had been ditched in his wallet in the lake.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
The approaches to these bases are now patrolled by armed Mil Mi-8 helicopters and Raptor patrol boats, among other assets.
—David Axe, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Security measures are in place, with police, gendarmerie and army personnel patrolling the area.
—NBC News, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patrol
Dictionary Entries Near patrol
Cite this Entry
“Patrol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patrol. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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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