sentry

noun

sen·​try ˈsen-trē How to pronounce sentry (audio)
plural sentries
: guard, watch
especially : a soldier standing guard at a point of passage (such as a gate)

Examples of sentry in a Sentence

The general placed an armed sentry at the bridge. a sentry posted to watch for intruders
Recent Examples on the Web Gunplay at the Association A statue of a panda bear sits like a chunky sentry atop a pillar on Classen Boulevard in Oklahoma City’s Asian District. Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 14 Mar. 2024 On Wednesday, Pakistan’s army said an Afghan sentry had opened fire at the Wesh-Chaman border crossing and killed two Pakistani citizens, including a 12-year-old child. Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for sentry 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sentry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from obsolete sentry sanctuary, watchtower

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sentry was in 1608

Dictionary Entries Near sentry

Cite this Entry

“Sentry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sentry. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

sentry

noun
sen·​try ˈsen-trē How to pronounce sentry (audio)
plural sentries
: guard entry 1 sense 3a
especially : a soldier standing guard at a point of passage

More from Merriam-Webster on sentry

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