English Reference

Word

patrolling

Phoneticspa·trolling

US/pəˈtɹoʊɫɪŋ/

UK/pɐtɹˈəʊlɪŋ/

Definition

v. moving around an area to keep it safe or to make sure everything is okay. You often see police or guards doing this in public places.

v. moving through an area at regular intervals for the purpose of security, observation, or maintenance of order. Present participle of 'patrol'; describes the active process of monitoring a perimeter or zone.

Examples

“Security guards are patrolling the mall tonight.”

“The coast guard spent the entire weekend patrolling the shoreline to ensure that no small vessels were in distress during the storm.”

“By patrolling the border with increased frequency, the authorities hoped to deter illegal crossings while simultaneously providing a visible presence to reassure the local residents of their safety.”

Examples

simple

“Security guards are patrolling the mall tonight.”

contextual

“The coast guard spent the entire weekend patrolling the shoreline to ensure that no small vessels were in distress during the storm.”

complex

“By patrolling the border with increased frequency, the authorities hoped to deter illegal crossings while simultaneously providing a visible presence to reassure the local residents of their safety.”

Usage

Typically used as a transitive verb taking a direct object (the area being monitored), or intransitively to describe the general activity.

Real-World Examples

“The number of gendarmes patrolling the coast within Dieppe and further to nearly the Le Havre area have been increased, she said.”
BBC News · 29 Sept 2026
“The grim discovery was made by a security company patrolling the area.”
BBC News · 28 Sept 2026
“Another man said that Houthi fighters were patrolling the streets of Mokha on Thursday, while government offices and shops were closed.”
BBC News · 10 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/patrolling

English Reference