Patrol is a word used for securityProtection against danger, theft, or other threats. work or the people who do it. It can describe the act of moving through an area to keep watch, a group that does that job, or a unitA small organized group working together as part of a larger force. sent out for security or reconnaissanceA mission to gather information about an area, often before action..
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /pə- TROHL/
Easy pronunciation: puh-TROHL (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: trol.
Noun meaning the regular activity of going around an area for security.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Patrol Meaning
regularly moving around an area to keep it safe and watch for trouble
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the activity of going around or through an area at regular intervals for security purposes
Example: Police patrols increased after several break-ins in the neighborhood.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- rounds — Can work in security contexts, but is less exact and more informal than patrol.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Patrol
Meaning 2
a small unit sent out to guard an area or gather information
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a detachment used for security or reconnaissance
Example: The patrol moved silently through the forest at dawn.
Meaning 3
a team that regularly checks an area for safety
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a group that goes through a region at regular intervals for the purpose of security
Example: A patrol was assigned to watch the border overnight.
Meaning 4
to keep an area safe by regularly checking it
Part of speech: verb
Definition: maintain the security of by carrying out a patrol
Example: Security staff patrol the campus every night.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- police — Fits this verb sense in security contexts, though it is also more commonly a noun meaning law enforcement officers.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Patrol Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- rounds
verb: maintain the security of by carrying out a patrol
- police
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse patrol the noun (the regular security activity) with patrol the verb (to move around and keep watch).
- Patrol does not usually mean a general walk or trip; it specifically suggests security, monitoring, or reconnaissance.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does patrol mean?
Patrol usually refers to the act of regularly moving through an area to keep it secure, or to the group or unit that does that job.
Is patrol a noun or a verb?
Patrol can be both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it can mean the security activity, the group doing it, or a unit sent out for security or reconnaissance. As a verb, it means to keep an area under watch by moving through it regularly.
What are the best synonyms for patrol?
A close synonym for the noun sense is rounds. For the verb sense, police can fit in some security contexts, though it is not always a direct substitute.
Does patrol always mean police work?
No. Patrol can apply to military, security, border, campus, or other watch duties, not just police work.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
