Reading Theme:
Police: Meaning, Pronunciation, and Usage Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：law enforcement officers (police)
police
/pəˈliːs/
n./v.
The people whose job is to keep the public safe and make sure laws are followed.
law enforcement officers
➕
/lɔː ɪnˈfɔːrsmənt ˈɒfɪsərz/
n./v.
A group of people employed by a government to maintain public order, prevent and detect crime, and enforce laws.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Greek 'polis' (city) via Latin 'politia' (civil administration), meaning 'government of a city'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'po' as 'people' and 'lice' as 'lice' – imagine people (police) picking lice off society to keep it clean and orderly.
📖 Example
My sister called the police when she saw an elderly neighbor fall and couldn't get up.
My sister called the police when she saw an elderly neighbor fall and couldn't get up.
🔗 Collocations
call the police – to phone the law enforcement authorities for help
police officer – a member of a police force
police station – the local office of a police force
🔄 Synonyms
law enforcement (n.) – the system of enforcing laws and maintaining order
constabulary (n.) – a police force, especially in a specific area
coppers (n.) – informal term for police officers
🚫 Antonyms
criminal (n.) – a person who commits crimes
lawbreaker (n.) – someone who violates the law
felon (n.) – a person convicted of a serious crime
🌱 Derivatives
policing (n.) – the activity of maintaining public order and enforcing laws
policeman (n.) – a male police officer
policewoman (n.) – a female police officer
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'police' entered English around the 16th century from French 'police', which came from Latin 'politia'. Originally it referred to the entire system of civil order and government, not just law enforcement officers. The modern sense of a uniformed force emerged in the 19th century.
Meaning 2：to monitor and enforce rules (police)
police
/pəˈliːs/
n./v.
To control or keep order in a place, or to make sure rules are followed.
to monitor and enforce rules
➕
/tə ˈmɒnɪtər ænd ɪnˈfɔːrs ruːlz/
n./v.
To control, regulate, or keep order in a particular area or activity, often by ensuring that rules or laws are followed.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Our neighborhood watch group helps to police the community park to keep it clean and safe for everyone.
Our neighborhood watch group helps to police the community park to keep it clean and safe for everyone.
🔗 Collocations
police the area – to monitor and maintain order in a specific location
police the event – to ensure rules are followed at an event
police the streets – to patrol and enforce law on streets
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
Wordbook
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