English · Culture & Society
police
/pəˈliːs/
[/pəˈliːs/]
law-enforcement officers
Beginnernoun
Definition
The official force responsible for keeping public order and enforcing the law. The word also refers to its officers collectively.
Example
The police arrived within minutes and quickly secured the area around the accident.
The police arrived within minutes and quickly secured the area around the accident.
Etymology
From French 'police', from Latin 'politia' (civil administration), from Greek 'polis' (city).
How & Where It’s Used
A core everyday word in law and public life.