Apb

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. A bulletin issued by law enforcement to alert officers about a wanted suspect or person of interest; an acronym used in communications to indicate an urgent search notice; a public notification seeking assistance in locating an individual
  2. An alert disseminated by police agencies to enable rapid identification and apprehension of a suspect; a message broadcast across jurisdictions to aid in law enforcement efforts; a formal request for collaborative pursuit of a subject
  3. A law enforcement communication advising all units to be on the lookout for a particular person or vehicle; a notification designed to facilitate coordinated policing actions; a directive aimed at quickly capturing someone wanted by authorities

Etymology: The acronym "APB" stands for "All Points Bulletin," a term primarily used by law enforcement agencies to issue a broadcast alert about a wanted person, vehicle, or other urgent information to all officers or units in a given area. Its origins lie in the practical needs of police communication, especially before the widespread use of digital technologies and centralized databases. The phrase emerged in American English during the early to mid-20th century, coinciding with advances in radio communication that allowed police departments to quickly share information across multiple jurisdictions. An "All Points Bulletin" meant that every patrol car and relevant officer would be on the lookout, essentially a call to action sent to "all points" or all locations under police coverage. The term itself is a straightforward compound of "all points," meaning all locations or units, and "bulletin," from the French "bulletin," signifying a brief official statement. The word "bulletin" traces back to the Italian "bulletino," a diminutive of "bulletta," meaning a small note or paper, reflecting the concise nature of the messages originally sent. Over time, "APB" entered popular culture, especially in police dramas and crime fiction, where it became shorthand for urgent alerts. The acronym has since been used metaphorically beyond law enforcement, sometimes referring to any urgent or widespread call for attention or action. This modern usage reflects the term’s evolution from a practical police communication tool to a part of the broader cultural lexicon.

Synonyms: all-points bulletin, alert, warning