I. pa ‧ trol 1 /pəˈtrəʊl $ -ˈtroʊl/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle patrolled , present participle patrolling ) [transitive]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: French ; Origin: patrouiller , from patte 'animal's foot' ]
1 . to go around the different parts of an area or building at regular times to check that there is no trouble or danger:
Armed guards patrolled the grounds.
an area patrolled by special police units
2 . to drive or walk around an area in a threatening way:
Gangs of youths patrolled the streets at night.
II. patrol 2 BrE AmE noun
1 . [uncountable and countable] when someone goes around different parts of an area at regular times to check that there is no trouble or danger
on patrol
police on patrol in the city centre
The security forces increased their patrols in the area.
2 . [countable] a group of police, soldiers, vehicles, planes etc sent out to search a particular area:
a US border patrol
patrol boat/car (=used by the army or police)
3 . [countable] a small group of ↑ Boy Scout s or ↑ guide s
⇨ ↑ highway patrol