patrol

A trip around an area to check that it is safe.

• The officers are on patrol.
• We saw a police patrol near the station.
• Regular patrols help keep the park safe.

Similar words: round

Common phrases: on patrol, night patrol, police patrol

A trip by a small group of soldiers to find out where enemy forces are.

• The soldiers went on a patrol beyond the camp.
• Their patrol found enemy troops near the river.
• Several patrols returned with reports of enemy movements.

Similar words: reconnaissance mission

Common phrases: reconnaissance patrol, enemy patrol, patrol behind lines

A round made by soldiers to check guard positions and protect them from attack.

• The patrol checked every guard post.
• A night patrol passed between the sentries.
• They completed two patrols around the camp before dawn.

Similar words: guard round

Common phrases: guard patrol, perimeter patrol, patrol of sentries

If you walk or travel around a place regularly to keep it safe, you watch for trouble.

• Two officers patrol this street.
• Guards patrolled the fence throughout the night.
• Who patrols the beach after dark?

Common phrases: patrol the streets, patrol an area, patrol the border, patrol a frontier