police
gb/pəlˈis/ us/pəlˈis/
A2
English
~ 400
rendőrség, rendőrök, felügyel, ellenőriz
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
the police [verb]
The police arrested the suspect early this morning.
A rendőrség ma kora reggel őrizetbe vette a gyanúsítottat.
You should call the police if you see anything suspicious.
Hívd a rendőrséget, ha bármi gyanúsat látsz.
Local police are investigating the burglary.
The police arrived within minutes after the alarm went off.
Learner examples
The police are here.
Itt vannak a rendőrök.
I see the police in the street.
Látom a rendőröket az utcán.
The police help people.
We talk to the police about the problem.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say 'a police' to mean one officer. The correct term is 'a police officer'. 'Police' is usually plural or uncountable.
Meaning
Organization enforcing laws
Collocations
call the police
|police officer
|police station
|police report
|police investigation
Synonyms
law enforcement (More formal and broader, can include agencies beyond the police.)
Antonyms
criminals (Opposite role in relation to law and order.)
Themes
law
|government
|public safety
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The group of people whose job is to stop crime and keep people safe.
The civil force of a state, responsible for preventing and investigating crime, maintaining public order, and enforcing laws.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to police [an area/activity]
Security guards police the building during events.
Rendezvények idején a biztonsági őrök felügyelik az épületet.
The border is heavily policed to prevent illegal crossings.
A határt szigorúan ellenőrzik, hogy megakadályozzák az illegális határátlépéseket.
Teachers police the hallways between classes.
Learner examples
Guards police the park.
Az őrök felügyelik a parkot.
They police the stadium on game days.
Meccsnapokon ők felügyelik a stadiont.
Police the roads during the parade.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'police' as a verb with 'patrol' — 'police' can also mean enforcing rules, not just moving around an area.
Meaning
Control or oversee for order
Collocations
police the streets
|police the border
|police online content
Synonyms
patrol (Focuses on moving around an area to watch it, often used for physical presence.)
Antonyms
neglect (To fail to watch or manage an area or activity.)
Themes
law
|security
|management
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To watch and control an area or activity to keep it safe and orderly.
To control, monitor, or keep order in an area or over an activity, especially by enforcing rules or laws.
Grammar
Dictionary form
police
IPA
GB/pəlˈis/
US/pəlˈis/
Syllables & stress
po - lice (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lice)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: police
- Plural: police
Verb
- Base: police
- 3rd Person Singular: polices
- Present Participle: policing
- Past: policed
Word family
Forms
polices
verb
policing
verb
policed
verb
Related words
policeman
noun A1
policewoman
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
unpoliced
adjective
Expressions
police brutality
1/pəlˈis bɹutˈælɪti/
fixed phrase
Excessive force by police
When police officers use too much force against people.
Examples
- The protest was about ending police brutality.
- Reports of police brutality sparked public outrage.
police report
1/pəlˈis ɹɪpˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
Official record by police
An official paper that says what happened in a crime or accident.
Examples
- I had to file a police report after my wallet was stolen.
- The insurance company asked for a copy of the police report.
call the police
1/kˈɔl ðə pəlˈis/
fixed phrase
Contact law enforcement
To phone or contact the police for help.
Examples
- If you see a crime, call the police immediately.
- If you see anything suspicious, call the police immediately.
- She threatened to call the police when he refused to leave.
- They decided to call the police when they heard noises downstairs.
police officer
1/pəlˈis ˈɔfɪsɚ/
fixed phrase
Law enforcement worker
A person whose job is to stop crime and keep people safe.
Examples
- A police officer stopped me for speeding.
- The police officer directed traffic after the accident.
- The children waved at the police officer.
- A police officer visited our school to talk about safety.
police station
1/pəlˈis stˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Building for police work
A building where police officers work.
Examples
- He went to the police station to file a report.
- We went to the police station to report the theft.
- The suspect is being held at the police station.
- The police station is just around the corner.