Definition

1. Noun:

   • A group that moves through an area at regular intervals for security or surveillance: A "patrol" can refer to the team or unit itself, such as a police patrol or a military patrol.
   • The act of moving through an area to guard or monitor it: "Patrol" also refers to the activity or duty of conducting such surveillance.

2. Verb:

   • To maintain security by moving through an area: The primary meaning is to conduct a patrol, to move around an area to guard or inspect it.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The night patrol reported that all was quiet. (The group on duty at night reported no issues.)
  • The officer is on patrol in the downtown district. (The officer is performing the duty of monitoring the downtown area.)

• Verb:

  • Security guards patrol the factory grounds every hour. (Security guards walk through the factory area regularly for inspection.)
  • The coast is patrolled by the navy. (The navy conducts regular surveillance along the coast.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be on patrol": to be engaged in the activity of patrolling.

  • Officers on patrol noticed the open door. (Officers who were performing their monitoring duty noticed the open door.)

• "to send out a patrol": to dispatch a group to patrol an area.

  • The commander sent out a patrol to scout the perimeter. (The commander dispatched a team to inspect the outer boundary.)

Variants and Related Words

• Patroller (n): A person or vehicle that patrols.

  • The park patroller ensures rules are followed.

• Patrolling (n/adj): The act of carrying out a patrol; or describing something related to patrol.

  • Patrolling is a core duty for border agents. (The activity is a core duty.)
  • The patrolling officer was very observant. (The officer who was on patrol was observant.)

Synonyms

• Noun (Group): Squad, guard, sentry.
• Noun (Activity): Surveillance, watch, round.
• Verb: Guard, monitor, inspect, police.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Patrol" is not commonly used with particles to form distinct phrasal verbs with changed meanings. The core verb "patrol" is typically used transitively or intransitively.)

Related Idioms

• "the long arm of the law": While not containing "patrol," this idiom relates to the pervasive reach of police and patrol activities.
  • You can't escape the long arm of the law. (You cannot avoid being caught by the police or justice system.)

Noun

1. a group that goes through a region at regular intervals for the purpose of security
2. the activity of going around or through an area at regular intervals for security purposes
3. a detachment used for security or reconnaissance

Verb

1. maintain the security of by carrying out a patrol