police
Definitions
The civil force responsible for maintaining public order and enforcing the law
警察；警方
To keep order in (a place) or monitor (an activity) to make sure rules are followed
维持……的治安；监管，监督（使遵守规则）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Greek politeía ('governance, administration') via Latin politīa and French police. Out of the whole idea of 'running the community,' this word narrowed to one job: keeping public order. So police is the enforcement side of governance — the twin of policy, the planning side.
Root polit still carries 11 more wordsWhy It Means This
The most everyday word in the family hides a surprise: police and policy were once the same word (Greek politeía, 'governance'). Governance split in two — policy became the plan, police became the people who enforce order. As a verb, 'police' still carries that sense of keeping order: to police a border, or to police a comment section online.
Usage Guide
- 'Police' is a plural collective: 'The police are investigating' (never 'is').
- For one officer, say 'a police officer' or 'a policeman/policewoman,' not 'a police.'
- The verb means to keep order or enforce rules: 'police the streets,' 'self-police.'
Example Sentences
- 1.
The police are still searching for the missing child.
- 2.
He called the police as soon as he heard the alarm.
- 3.
Volunteers help police the festival grounds at night.
- 4.
The platform struggles to police misinformation.
Easily Confused
police vs policy — same origin, split meaning. police = the force that enforces order (and the verb 'to keep order'); policy = a chosen plan of action. Enforcement → police; plan → policy.