police power

noun

The inherent power, incident to sovereignty, of a state to regulate and exercise reasonable control over matters of public health, public morals, public safety, and in general, all things relating to the general welfare.

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Meanings

nounpolice power (uncountable)
  1. uncountablelawThe inherent power, incident to sovereignty, of a state to regulate and exercise reasonable control over matters of public health, public morals, public safety, and in general, all things relating to the general welfare.
Cite this entry
APA

police power. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/police%20power

MLA

“police power.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/police%20power. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “police power,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/police%20power.

Source: police power on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.