police

police — noun

1. the government organization in a place that keeps public order, protects people,

1.nounA2
Definition

the government organization in a place that keeps public order, protects people, and investigates crime

Example

The police are asking drivers to avoid River Road tonight.

the police are ... — usual plural verb

After the fraud report, local police opened an investigation.

local police + investigation

Common collocations
  • call the police
  • local police
  • police investigation
  • police report
Synonyms
  • law enforcement

    broader, especially in American English, for the policing system as a whole

  • police force

    more explicit and often used for a particular city's or country's service

  • authorities

    broader; can include officials other than the police

Grammar Patterns

the police are ...

call the police

local police

Usage Note

Often appears with a plural verb even when you mean the department or organization. Distinguish from sense 2 when the focus is on the actual officers at a scene rather than the institution taking action.

Common Mistakes

She reported the theft to a police.
She reported the theft to the police.
use 'the police' for the organization; one person is 'a police officer'.

2. police officers as a group, especially the ones working in a particular place

2.nounA2
Definition

police officers as a group, especially the ones working in a particular place

Example

The police arrived within minutes after Maya pressed the alarm.

the police arrived — officers as a group

Outside the stadium, police checked bags with flashlights.

Common collocations
  • the police arrived
  • police officers
  • police checked bags
  • call the police
Synonyms
  • officers

    neutral and often used when the individual people are more visible

  • cops

    informal and common in speech, films, and headlines

  • law enforcement

    more institutional and broader than the officers on one scene

Grammar Patterns

the police arrived

police checked [something]

the police were ...

Usage Note

Normally takes a plural verb in standard English. Distinguish from sense 1 when you mean the service or department making decisions, not the officers physically present.

Common Mistakes

The police is outside the building.
The police are outside the building.
this noun normally takes a plural verb.
A police stopped my bike.
A police officer stopped my bike.
do not use 'a police' for one person.

police — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

'Police' is the normal neutral word for police officers as a group. 'Officers' is also neutral, but it usually feels more immediate and often points to the actual people on the scene. 'Cops' is informal, common in speech, films, and headlines, so it can sound too casual in careful writing. 'Law enforcement' is broader and more institutional, especially in American English; it can include agencies and the whole system, not just the people standing in front of you. Use 'police' when you mean the public force in general, and 'officers' when the individuals matter more. For example, the police are investigating the theft, but two officers came to the house.

police ↗officerscopslaw enforcement

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Police came into English through French from Latin politia, which itself came from Greek politeia, a word about citizenship and government. In earlier English, it could refer more broadly to the ordering of public life. Over time, the meaning narrowed to the public force and system used to keep order, prevent crime, and enforce the law.