n.
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural police
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: French, from Old French, from Late Latin politia government, administration, from Greek politeia, from polit ē s citizen, from polis city, state; akin to Sanskrit pur rampart, Lithuanian pilis castle
Date: 1716
1 a : the internal organization or regulation of a political unit through exercise of governmental powers especially with respect to general comfort, health, morals, safety, or prosperity b : control and regulation of affairs affecting the general order and welfare of any unit or area c : the system of laws for effecting such control
2 a : the department of government concerned primarily with maintenance of public order, safety, and health and enforcement of laws and possessing executive, judicial, and legislative powers b : the department of government charged with prevention, detection, and prosecution of public nuisances and crimes
3 a : POLICE FORCE b plural : POLICE OFFICERS
4 a : a private organization resembling a police force <campus police > b plural : the members of a private police organization
5 a : the action or process of cleaning and putting in order b : military personnel detailed to perform this function
6 : one attempting to regulate or censor a specified field or activity <the fashion police >