garda

noun

gar·​da ˈgär-də How to pronounce garda (audio)
plural gardai ˌgär-ˈdē How to pronounce garda (audio)
often capitalized
: a police officer in the Republic of Ireland

Word History

Etymology

Irish garda (plural gardaí), short for garda síochána, literally, guardian of the peace

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of garda was in 1934

Dictionary Entries Near garda

Cite this Entry

“Garda.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/garda. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!