policing
Policing (noun) means the activity of maintaining law and order, or of monitoring and enforcing rules. Example: “Community policing aims to build trust between officers and residents.”
How to use policing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEnforcing order or rules, whether by actual police or in a figurative sense.
Word forms
policings plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Community _____ aims to build trust between officers and residents.
Related words
Rhymes for policing
See all rhymes for policing →Frequently asked questions
What does “policing” mean?
The word “policing” means the activity of maintaining law and order, or of monitoring and enforcing rules. In plain terms, enforcing order or rules, whether by actual police or in a figurative sense.
How do you use “policing” in a sentence?
Here is “policing” used in a sentence: “Community policing aims to build trust between officers and residents.”
What part of speech is “policing”?
“Policing” is a noun.
Is “policing” a common word?
“Policing” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "policing" and "law enforcement"?
Policing refers to the broader activity of maintaining law and order or monitoring and enforcing rules, while law enforcement more specifically refers to the official agencies and personnel carrying that activity out. Policing can also be used more loosely for enforcing informal rules, not just laws.
Can "policing" refer to enforcing rules outside of actual law?
Yes, policing is often used figuratively to describe monitoring or enforcing behavior in non-legal settings, such as policing a comments section or policing someone's diet. This extended use keeps the core idea of watching for and correcting rule-breaking.