Definition

Noun: A marked vehicle used by police officers for patrol duties, typically equipped with a radio communication system to maintain contact with a central dispatch or headquarters. It is designed for visible presence and rapid response within a community.

Usage

This term specifically refers to the official automobile used for law enforcement patrol. It is a standard, countable noun.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The officer returned to the police cruiser after writing the ticket.
  • A police cruiser was parked outside the bank as a deterrent.
  • They called for backup, and two more police cruisers arrived at the scene.

Advanced Usage

• The term emphasizes the vehicle's function of "cruising" or patrolling an area. It is often used in North American English.
• It can be part of descriptive phrases highlighting its role or appearance, e.g., (a patrol car without visible police decals).

Variants and Related Words

• Patrol car: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "police cruiser."
• Squad car: Another common synonym, particularly in some regions of the United States.
• Radio car: An older term emphasizing the communication equipment.

Synonyms

• Patrol car
• Squad car
• Police car

Related Idioms/Phrases

(This term is a specific noun and is not commonly used as part of idiomatic expressions. Its meaning is literal.)

Noun

1. a car in which policemen cruise the streets; equipped with radiotelephonic communications to headquarters