national guard

noun

1

: a military establishment serving as a national constabulary and defense force

2

National Guard : a militia force recruited by each state of the U.S., equipped by the federal government, and jointly maintained subject to the call of either

Examples of national guard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Staff have been directed to develop clear protocols for alerting the public of ICE activity or a national guard presence within city limits. —Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026

Andrea Tsuchiya, a state national guard public affairs officer, said in a statement. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 25 Jan. 2026

Invoking the law would give Trump the power to deploy military or national guard troops to suppress the demonstrations. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 15 Jan. 2026

Advertisement The Army Secretary position is often seen as unglamorous, overseeing the budget and management of the over one million Armymen, national guard, and reserve soldiers. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for national guard

• asgard
• backyard
• barnyard
• blackguard
• bombard
• brickyard
• canard
• churchyard
• coastguard
• courtyard
• debarred
• diehard

Kids Definition

national guard

noun

1

capitalized : a militia force recruited by each state, equipped by the federal government, and subject to the call of either

2

: a military force serving as a national police and defense force

national guardsman noun often capitalized