police
n. · v.-
1 rule enforcers (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Humorouspeople who try to control how others behave or speak, even if they are not official officers.
individuals or groups who unofficially monitor and enforce specific standards, norms, or behaviors.
ExampleThe fashion police will hate those shoes with that dress.
ExampleThe grammar police were quick to point out the misplaced apostrophe in the company's annual report.
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2 cleaning duty (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Slang Militarythe job of cleaning up a military camp or area.
the act of cleaning or tidying a military facility or grounds as a formal duty.
ExampleThe soldiers spent the afternoon on police call, picking up litter around the barracks.
ExampleAfter the field exercise, the platoon was assigned to police the area to ensure no equipment or refuse remained on the training grounds.
- cleanup
- fatigue duty
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3 to monitor or control (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto watch an area or a group to make sure people are following the rules.
to maintain law and order in a specific area or to oversee a group to ensure compliance with regulations.
ExampleThe local community helps to police the park at night.
ExampleThe international agency was tasked to police the border and ensure that the ceasefire agreement was strictly observed by both parties.
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4 to enforce standards (v.) C1 Advanced Academic Formalto make sure that people follow certain standards or ways of behaving.
to regulate or control the internal affairs of a group or the standards of a particular activity.
ExampleIt is difficult for the industry to police itself without outside help.
ExampleThe committee was established to police the ethical standards of the research department, ensuring all protocols met national guidelines.
From Middle French police, from Latin polītīa (“state, government”), from Ancient Greek πολιτεία (politeía). Doublet of policy, polis (“police”), and polity.