guard

¹guard

noun \ˈgärd\

Definition of GUARD

1

: one assigned to protect or oversee another: as

a : a person or a body of persons on sentinel duty

b plural : troops attached to the person of the sovereign

c British : conductor b

2

a : a defensive state or attitude <asked him out when his guard was down>

b : a defensive position (as in boxing)

3

a : the act or duty of protecting or defending

b : the state of being protected : protection

4

: a protective or safety device; specifically : a device for protecting a machine part or the operator of a machine

5

archaic : precaution

6

a : a position or player next to the center in a football line

b : a player stationed in the backcourt in basketball

— off guard

: in an unprepared or unsuspecting state

— on guard

: defensively watchful : alert

Examples of GUARD

1. There were dozens of police officers standing guard along the parade route.
2. Tourists gather every day to watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.
3. The guard must be in place before operating the meat slicer.

Origin of GUARD

Middle English garde, from Anglo-French garde, guarde, warde, from garder, guarder, warder, to guard, defend, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wartēn to watch, take care — more at ward

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to GUARD

Synonyms

custodian, guardian, keeper, lookout, minder, picket, sentinel, sentry, warden, warder, watch, watcher, watchman

Antonyms

offensive

Related Words

observer, patrol, spotter, surveillant, watchdog; bodyguard, convoy, defender, escort, honor guard; gatekeeper; hack [slang]

Near Antonyms

aggression, assault, attack, offense (or offence), offensive

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

Rhymes with GUARD

bard, barred, card, chard, Dard, fard, hard, lard, nard, pard, sard, shard, yard

²guard

verb

Definition of GUARD

transitive verb

1

: to protect an edge of with an ornamental border

2

a : to protect from danger especially by watchful attention : make secure <police guarding our cities>

b : to stand at the entrance of as if on guard or as a barrier

c : to tend to carefully : preserve, protect <guarded their privacy>

3

archaic : escort

4

a : to watch over so as to prevent escape, disclosure, or indiscretion

b : to attempt to prevent (an opponent) from playing effectively or scoring

intransitive verb

: to watch by way of caution or defense : stand guard

— guard·er noun

Examples of GUARD

1. Two policemen were assigned to guard the prisoner.
2. A tank guarded the bridge from enemy attack.
3. A police officer was stationed outside to guard the door.
4. They jealously guard their secrets.
5. Her whereabouts are a tightly guarded secret.

First Known Use of GUARD

1500

Related to GUARD

Synonyms

bulwark, cover, fence, fend, forfend, defend, keep, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, ward

Antonyms

assail, assault, attack

Related Words

avert, prevent; oppose, resist, withstand; battle, contend, fight, war; conserve, preserve, save; buffer, palisade, picket, wall

Near Antonyms

bombard, storm; beset, besiege, overrun; capitulate, cave, submit, yield

See Synonym Discussion at defend