police
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.people who try to control how others behave or speak, even if they are not official officers.
n.individuals or groups who unofficially monitor and enforce specific standards, norms, or behaviors.
Simple“The fashion police will hate those shoes with that dress.”
In context“The grammar police were quick to point out the misplaced apostrophe in the company's annual report.”
- 02 C2 Proficiency
n.the job of cleaning up a military camp or area.
n.the act of cleaning or tidying a military facility or grounds as a formal duty.
Simple“The soldiers spent the afternoon on police call, picking up litter around the barracks.”
In context“After the field exercise, the platoon was assigned to police the area to ensure no equipment or refuse remained on the training grounds.”
Synonymscleanupfatigue duty - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to watch an area or a group to make sure people are following the rules.
v.to maintain law and order in a specific area or to oversee a group to ensure compliance with regulations.
Simple“The local community helps to police the park at night.”
In context“The international agency was tasked to police the border and ensure that the ceasefire agreement was strictly observed by both parties.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
v.to make sure that people follow certain standards or ways of behaving.
v.to regulate or control the internal affairs of a group or the standards of a particular activity.
Simple“It is difficult for the industry to police itself without outside help.”
In context“The committee was established to police the ethical standards of the research department, ensuring all protocols met national guidelines.”
Usage police officers · police officer · police investigation
From Middle French police, from Latin polītīa (“state, government”), from Ancient Greek πολιτεία (politeía). Doublet of policy, polis (“police”), and polity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.