# police station

CEFR A2 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/police-station
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

A building where police officers work. It's the main office for the police in a town or area.

For teachers: A building that serves as the headquarters for a local police force, containing offices, interview rooms, and often holding cells.

## Examples

- They took the thief to the police station.
- If you lose your wallet, you should report it at the nearest police station.
- The new municipal budget includes significant funding to renovate the city's aging central police station and upgrade its forensic facilities.

## Pitfalls

- Not "station of police" but "police station" — English compound nouns typically place the classifying noun first ('police') and the main noun second ('station').

## Usage notes

- This is a standard compound noun used in both British and American English.
- Teaching tip: As a compound noun, the primary stress falls on the first word, 'PO-lice station', which distinguishes it from an adjective modifying a noun.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.