a short street in central London, England: formerly the site of the London police headquarters, which were removed 1890 to a Thames embankment (New Scotland Yard).
2.
the metropolitan police of London, esp. the branch engaged in crime detection.
used allusively for "London Metropolitan Police," 1864, from name of short street off Whitehall, London; from 1829 to 1890 headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Force, hence, the force itself, especially the detective branch. After 1890, located in "New Scotland Yard."
