patrol

A going of the rounds along the chain of sentinels and between the posts, by a guard, usually consisting of three or four men, to insure greater security from attacks on the outposts.

Four members of the squadron were on patrol.

The watch consisted of twelve convicts—men selected for their good behaviour. Immediately after tattoo had beat they began their patrol. 'No complaint was ever made of them,' remarks Phillip, and they were expressly cautioned to avoid disputes with soldiers or seamen ( many of whom were as great thieves as the convicts themselves).

A movement, by a small body of troops beyond the line of outposts, to explore the country and gain intelligence of the enemy's whereabouts.

The guards who go the rounds for observation; a detachment whose duty it is to patrol.

After cordial good-bye to our hospitable hostess we motored back to Chaumont where we dined with Colonel Mitchell; and then with another long drive we finally reached home tired but happy at 3.30 in the morning. There staring me in the face was an order directing me to lead my patrol over the lines in the morning at five o'clock, sharp! An hour and a half sleep for an utterly worn out aviator!

The largest division of officers within a police department or sheriff's office, whose assignment is to patrol and respond to calls for service.

Any perambulation of a particular line or district to guard it; also, the people thus guarding.

a customs patrol

a fire patrol

To go the rounds along a chain of sentinels; to traverse a police district or beat.

To go the rounds of, as a sentry, guard, or policeman

to patrol a frontier

to patrol a beat