Police: meaning, definitions and examples

Formal or general term used to refer to the entire organization of law enforcement or a group of officers.

• The police are investigating the incident
• Call the police if there's an emergency

Formal term generally used in official documents, news reports, or discussions about the broader system of policing.

• Law enforcement agencies are cooperating to tackle the issue
• Careers in law enforcement require rigorous training

Casual or informal term often used in everyday conversation.

• I saw some cops at the park today
• The cops were quick to arrive on the scene

Respectful term used to refer specifically to individuals in the police force.

• The officers were very helpful
• She spoke to the officers about what she saw

Used to describe maintaining public order, enforcing laws, or supervising a specific behavior or event. It often has a formal or official connotation.

• The city has increased the number of officers to police the streets.
• Volunteers were asked to police the event to ensure everyone followed the rules.

Refers to having power or authority over something or someone. It’s used in various contexts including managing, governing, or restraining.

• She was hired to control the company's finances.
• The government imposed strict measures to control the spread of the virus.

Used to describe making rules or laws to control an activity or process. It often involves setting standards or guidelines.

• The government plans to regulate the use of drones in public areas.
• New policies were introduced to regulate the emissions from factories.

Means observing and checking the progress or quality of something over a period of time. It implies a continuous or regular observation.

• The teacher will monitor the students' progress throughout the semester.
• We need to monitor the situation closely to ensure safety.