patrol

pa-trol · noun/verb

imported

Definitions

noun/verb

  1. 1.

    A group of people or vehicles sent to keep watch over an area.

  2. 2.

    To keep watch over an area by regularly walking or traveling around it.

  3. 3.

    The act of monitoring an area by traveling through it.

Forms

plural: patrols

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    on patrol — actively monitoring an area
  • •
    patrol car — a police vehicle used for patrolling
  • •
    border patrol — guards or officers who monitor national boundaries

Related words

Antonyms: abandon, neglect
See also: guard, patrols, surveillance
Synonyms: guard, surveillance, watch

Etymology

From French patrouiller ("to patrol"), from Old French patouiller ("to paddle, paw about"), possibly from patte ("paw").