patrol

UK: /pəˈtrəʊl/ US: /pəˈtroʊl/ ,(pə trōl′)

Inflections of 'patrol' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

patrols

v 3rd person singular

patrolling

v pres p

patrolled

v past

patrolled

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pa•trol /pəˈtroʊl/   v., -trolled, -trol•ling, n. 
v. 

1. (of a police officer, etc.) to pass regularly along (a route) or through (an area) to maintain order and security: [~ + object]
   patrolling the downtown area.
   [no object]
   When they are out patrolling they need a partner for back-up.

n. 

2. [countable] a person or group that patrols.
3. the act of patrolling:
   [uncountable] The cops were out on patrol.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pa•trol  (pə trōl′), v., -trolled, -trol•ling, n. 
v.i. 

1. (of a police officer, soldier, etc.) to pass along a road, beat, etc., or around or through a specified area in order to maintain order and security.

v.t. 

2. to maintain the order and security of (a road, beat, area, etc.) by passing along or through it.

n. 

3. a person or group of persons assigned to patrol an area, road, etc.
4. an automobile, ship, plane, squadron, fleet, etc., assigned to patrol an area.
5. Military a detachment of two or more persons, often a squad or platoon, detailed for reconnaissance or combat.
6. the act of patrolling.
7. See patrol wagon. 
8. (in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts) a subdivision of a troop, usually consisting of about eight members.

• French patrouille (noun, nominal), patrouiller (verb, verbal) patrol, origin, originally a pawing (noun, nominal), to paw (verb, verbal) in mud; derivative (with suffixal -ouille) of patte paw; -r- unexplained
• 1655–65

pa•trol ′ler, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

patrol / pəˈtrəʊl/ noun

1. the action of going through or around a town, neighbourhood, etc, at regular intervals for purposes of security or observation
2. a person or group that carries out such an action
3. a military detachment with the mission of security, gathering information, or combat with enemy forces
4. a division of a troop of Scouts or Guides

verb ( -trols, -trolling, -trolled)

1. to engage in a patrol of (a place)

Etymology: 17th Century: from French patrouiller, from patouiller to flounder in mud, from patte paw

paˈtroller noun