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police power
noun
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Definition of police power
: the inherent power of a government to exercise reasonable control over persons and property within its
jurisdiction in the interest of the general security, health, safety, morals, and welfare except where legally
prohibited

Examples of police power in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web His police powers would remain stripped for four months. — Cincinnati.com,
"Arbitrator: Second officer unfairly suspended for use of racial slur, is due back pay," 10 Dec. 2019 As of now his
police powers have been stripped and his badge, gun and ID have been recovered by command staff. — David
Owens, courant.com, "State police sergeant who crashed after leaving retirement party at brewery is suspended
from duty," 14 Nov. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of
the word 'police power.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its
editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of police power

1821, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for police power

The first known use of police power was in 1821

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Dictionary Entries near police power

police offense

police office

police officer
police power

police procedural

police reporter

police science

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Statistics for police power

Last Updated

8 Jan 2020

Look-up Popularity

Bottom 40% of words

Cite this Entry

“Police power.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/police%20power. Accessed 24 January 2020.

Style: MLA

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More Definitions for police power

police power

Legal Definition of police power

see power sense 2a

More from Merriam-Webster on police power

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with police power

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about police power

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