American English
/pʰəˈlist̚/
2 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Related entry: police
The official organization whose job is to keep public order, prevent crime, and investigate crime.
Practice out loudThe official organization whose job is to keep public order, prevent crime, and investigate crime.
The police are investigating the case.
The police arrived within minutes.
In everyday English, usually say the police. Police takes plural verb forms.
call the police · police officer · police station · police report
the police + are/were + [verb]-ing
To control a place, group, or activity officially to make sure that rules are followed.
The agency polices online content.
The guards police the border.
police the streets · police a border · police a protest · police online content
someone + polices + a place or activity
to + police + a place or activity
the police organization or its officers
The police arrived quickly.
a person who works for the police
A police officer checked my license.
a building where police work
Meet me outside the police station.
Before -ing, police loses its final e: policing.