What does police mean?
The word “police” can name the public organization entrusted with keeping order, preventing and investigating crime, and enforcing laws. In everyday use, it usually refers collectively to police officers rather than to an individual person. The related verb “police” means to supervise or control a place, activity, or group, often in order to maintain order or enforce rules. The noun is normally used collectively: “the police are responding,” rather than “the police is.” In American English, the informal singular “cop” is common for an individual officer, while the formal term “police officer” is used in both British and American English. The verb form is especially frequent in journalism and formal descriptions of security measures, such as policing a boundary or policing a regulated activity. Together, the noun and verb reflect a central public function: maintaining order through authorized and systematic enforcement.
The members of an organization responsible for maintaining public order, preventing and investigating crime, and enforcing laws.
"The police have appealed for information about the incident."
Usually collective and plural: “the police are.” The singular “police” is uncommon in standard English.
To supervise, regulate, or control an area, activity, or group in order to maintain order or enforce rules.
"Private security staff police the entrance to the venue."
Common in formal, journalistic, and administrative contexts; it can describe routine supervision as well as enforcement of regulations.
Used as a collective plural to refer to the police as an organization. In standard British and American English, the plural verb is normally used: “the police are investigating.”
"The police are investigating a suspected break-in."
The word entered English in the early 16th century, when police originally referred to the governance or administration of a community rather than to individual officers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does police come from?
The word entered English in the early 16th century from French “police,” which came from Latin “politia,” meaning administration or government. Latin “politia” was derived from Greek “politeia,” associated with “polis,” meaning a city or civic community. English initially used the term for the administration or governance of a community, and its modern association with law-enforcement officers developed later.
Related word forms
How police is actually used
As a noun, “the police” is normally treated as a collective plural in both British and American English: “the police are investigating.” The verb “police” is common in formal and journalistic writing, especially for the supervision or regulation of an activity, area, or group.
Easily confused with police
Police are people or an organization that enforce laws, whereas a policy is a formal set of rules or principles governing an organization or activity.