coast guard

noun

1

: a military or naval force employed in guarding a coast or responsible for the safety, order, and operation of maritime traffic in neighboring waters

2

usually coastguard

ˈkōs(t)-ˌgärd 

chiefly British : coastguardsman

Examples of coast guard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Others have naval and coast guard personnel who could be deployed, but have no vessels. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026

The Greek coast guard said 51 people were rescued from the site early Monday, some 75 kilometers (47 miles) south of Crete. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Four Turkish Cypriot coast guard vessels and a civilian passenger boat were deployed to the scene, along with five Turkish coastguard vessels and two helicopters, the ministry statement said. — Reuters, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

China is ramping up pressure on Taiwan, with Beijing sending a record number of government vessels to waters around the island last month, according to figures provided by Taiwan’s coast guard. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coast guard

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

Kids Definition

coast guard

noun

1

: a seagoing force for protecting a coast and people and property at sea

2

usually coastguard chiefly British : coastguardsman