ENGLISH
REFERENCE

policing

n.
US //pəˈɫisɪŋ// UK //pəlˈiːsɪŋ// polic·ing
  1. 1 police work (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the way the police keep order and protect people in a specific area.

    the maintenance of law and order by a police force, including patrolling and crime prevention.

    Example

    The city has seen a change in policing since the new chief was hired.

    Example

    Community-based policing focuses on building trust between officers and local residents to prevent crime before it occurs.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun when discussing the general practice or style of law enforcement.
  2. 2 monitoring or regulation (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    the act of checking that people are following rules in a certain place or group.

    the regulation or monitoring of a particular activity, industry, or social space to ensure compliance with rules.

    Example

    The policing of social media comments is a difficult task for many companies.

    Example

    Effective policing of the new environmental regulations requires frequent inspections and heavy fines for non-compliance.

    Usage

    Frequently used in academic or professional contexts regarding the enforcement of standards.

Last updated June 20, 2026